Search Results (1,099)

Cadmium (Cd), a pervasive and highly phytotoxic metal pollutant, poses severe threats to agricultural productivity, ecosystem stability, and human health through its entry into the food chain. Plants have evolved intricate defense mechanisms, among which the strategic manipulation of nutrient elements emerges as a critical physiological and biochemical strategy for mitigating Cd stress. This comprehensive review delves deeply into the multifaceted roles of essential macronutrient elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur), essential micronutrient elements (zinc, iron, manganese, copper) and non-essential beneficial elements (silicon, selenium) in modulating plant responses to Cd toxicity. We meticulously dissect the physiological, biochemical, and molecular underpinnings of how these nutrients influence Cd bioavailability in the rhizosphere, Cd uptake and translocation pathways, sequestration and compartmentalization within plant tissues, and the activation of antioxidant defense systems. Nutrient elements exert their influence through diverse mechanisms: competing with Cd for root uptake transporters, promoting the synthesis of complexes that reduce Cd mobility, stabilizing cell walls and plasma membranes to restrict apoplastic flow and symplastic influx, modulating redox homeostasis by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities and non-enzymatic antioxidant pools, regulating signal transduction pathways, and influencing gene expression profiles related to metal transport, chelation, and detoxification. The complex interactions between nutrients themselves further shape the plant’s capacity to withstand Cd stress. Recent advances elucidating nutrient-mediated epigenetic regulation, microRNA involvement, and the role of nutrient-sensing signaling hubs in Cd responses are critically evaluated. Furthermore, we synthesize the practical implications of nutrient management strategies, including optimized fertilization regimes, selection of nutrient-efficient genotypes, and utilization of nutrient-enriched amendments, for enhancing phytoremediation efficiency and developing low-Cd-accumulating crops, thereby contributing to safer food production and environmental restoration in Cd-contaminated soils. The intricate interplay between plant nutritional status and Cd stress resilience underscores the necessity for a holistic, nutrient-centric approach in managing Cd toxicity in agroecosystems. Full article

Micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPLs) present in the environment have recently become a potential health hazard factor due to the ability to penetrate living organisms, their organs, and cells. MNPLs interact with and absorb chemicals and elements, including metals, such as iron, copper, and zinc, and transport them into the cells. The cells subsequently respond with the altered gene expression profiles. In this study, we applied freely accessible online bioinformatic tools to draw out the sets of genes modulated by the metal ions and MNPLs. We focused on the gene interactome as revealed by The Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). To achieve a deeper insight into the biological processes that are potentially modulated, the retrieved CTD lists of genes, whose expression was influenced by MNPLs and metals, were subsequently analyzed using online tools: Metascape and String database. The genes from the revealed networks were arranged into functional clusters, annotated mainly as inflammation and immune system activity, regulation of apoptosis, oxidative stress response, Wingless-related Integration Site (WNT) signaling and ferroptosis. The complexity of the interactions between the gene sets altered by MNPLs and metal ions illustrates their pleiotropic effects on living systems. Full article

Although many studies have examined reaction zones in groundwater–seawater mixing areas, little attention has been given to how subsurface processes drive changes in iron (Fe) precipitation over time and space. This gap has limited our understanding of the “iron curtain” phenomenon in coastal aquifers. To address this, this study developed a reactive transport model to investigate how porosity evolves during the oxidative precipitation of Fe(II) in porous media. The model incorporates the dynamic effects of tortuosity, diffusivity, and surface area as minerals accumulate. Validation experiments, conducted with syringe tests that simulated Fe precipitation during freshwater–saltwater mixing, showed that precipitates formed mainly near the inlets, reflecting the development of a geochemical barrier at the groundwater–seawater interface. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that Fe precipitates coated the surfaces of spherical particles. Numerical simulations further revealed that high Fe(II) concentrations drove pore clogging near the inlet, creating a dense precipitation zone akin to the iron curtain in coastal aquifers. At 10 mmol/L Fe(II), local clogging was observed, while at 100 mmol/L Fe(II), outflow rates (i.e., discharge) were substantially reduced. Together, the experiments and simulations highlight how hydrogeochemical processes influence hydraulic properties during the oxidative precipitation of Fe(II) in mixing zones. Full article

Today, science and medicine are striving to develop novel techniques for treating deadly diseases, including a wide range of cancers. Efforts are being made to better understand the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of tumor cell functioning, but a particular emphasis has recently been given to investigating immune cells residing in the tumor microenvironment, which may lead to revolutionary benefits in the design of new immunotherapies. Among these cells, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are highly abundant and act as critical regulators of ovarian cancer progression, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. Their dual nature—as drivers of malignancy and as potential therapeutic mediators—has positioned them at the forefront of research into next-generation immunotherapies. As therapeutic targets, approaches include blocking macrophage recruitment (e.g., CSF-1/CSF-1R inhibitors), selectively depleting subsets of TAMs (e.g., via Folate Receptor Beta), or reprogramming immunosuppressive M2-like macrophages toward an anti-tumor M1 phenotype. On the other hand, macrophages can also serve as a therapeutic tool—they may be engineered to enhance anti-tumor immunity, as exemplified by the development of Chimeric Antigen Receptor Macrophages (CAR-Ms), or leveraged as delivery vehicles for targeted drug transport into the tumor microenvironment. A particularly innovative strategy involves Macrophage–Drug Conjugates (MDCs), which employs the transfer of iron-binding proteins (TRAIN) mechanism for precise intracellular delivery of therapeutic agents, thereby enhancing drug efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity. This review integrates current knowledge of TAM biology, highlights emerging therapeutic approaches, and underscores the promise of macrophage-based interventions in ovarian cancer. By integrating macrophage-targeting strategies with advanced immunotherapeutic platforms, novel treatment paradigms may be determined that could substantially improve outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer and other solid tumors. Our work highlights that macrophages should be a particular area of research interest in the context of cancer treatment. Full article

As crucial transportation hubs and economic nodes, the underwater security and infrastructure maintenance of harbors are of paramount importance. Harbors are characterized by high vessel traffic and complex underwater environments, where traditional underwater inspection methods, such as diver operations, face challenges of low efficiency, high risk, and limited operational range. This paper introduces a collaborative survey and disposal system that integrates a deformable unmanned surface vehicle (USV) with a lightweight remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The USV is equipped with a side-scan sonar (SSS) and a multibeam echo sounder (MBES), enabling rapid, large-area searches and seabed topographic mapping. The ROV, equipped with an optical camera system, forward-looking sonar (FLS), and a manipulator, is tasked with conducting close-range, detailed observations to confirm and dispose of abnormal objects identified by the USV. Field trials were conducted at an island harbor in the South China Sea, where simulated underwater objects, including an iron drum, a plastic drum, and a rubber tire, were deployed. The results demonstrate that the USV-ROV collaborative system effectively meets the demands for underwater environmental measurement, object localization, identification, and disposal in complex harbor environments. The USV acquired high-resolution (0.5 m × 0.5 m) three-dimensional topographic data of the harbor, effectively revealing its topographical features. The SSS accurately localized and preliminarily identified all deployed simulated objects, revealing their acoustic characteristics. Repeated surveys revealed a maximum positioning deviation of 2.2 m. The lightweight ROV confirmed the status and location of the simulated objects using an optical camera and an underwater positioning system, with a maximum deviation of 3.2 m when compared to the SSS locations. The study highlights the limitations of using either vehicle alone. The USV survey could not precisely confirm the attributes of the objects, whereas a full-area search of 0.36 km² by the ROV alone would take approximately 20 h. In contrast, the USV-ROV collaborative model reduced the total time to detect all objects to 9 h, improving efficiency by 55%. This research offers an efficient, reliable, and economical practical solution for applications such as underwater security, topographic mapping, infrastructure inspection, and channel dredging in harbor environments. Full article

In plant tissues, nanoparticles can stimulate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which, in excess, cause cellular toxicity by damaging membranes, chloroplasts, and DNA. However, they can also activate antioxidant mechanisms, aiding metabolic recovery under oxidative stress. In agriculture, iron oxide (nFe) nanoparticles stand out for their gradual release of the nutrient, preventing leaching and increasing productivity. This study aims to investigate whether iron oxide nanoparticles are effective alternatives for overcoming iron deficiencies, mitigating oxidative stress and restoring metabolic functions, while maintaining photosynthesis. The high H₂O₂ concentration observed in nFe 500 mg L⁻¹ (nFe 500) suggests that Fe, after being transported by the nanoparticles to the leaves, may have acted as a cofactor for antioxidant enzymes involved in H₂O₂ decomposition, reducing malondialdehyde concentration (MDA). Maintaining low oxidative stress suggests that H₂O₂ may function not only as a stress indicator but also as a signaling molecule in intracellular processes. nFe 500 suggests the ability of plants to utilize released Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺, restoring photosynthetic function in iron-deficient plants. Full article

The integral equation formulation of Maxwell’s equations proposed by Brandt provides an alternative to the H and T-A formulations for modelling high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes. A modified version of Brandt’s method in the literature models ferromagnetic domains near the tapes by considering the ferromagnetic domains as equivalent surface current. This paper extends this method by including the effect of external magnetic field acting on the ferromagnetic and HTS domains. The proposed method is used on a benchmark problem, which considers an HTS tape with a ferromagnetic substrate under an external time-varying magnetic field. The results agree closely (error in average ac loss less than 3%) with the widely-used T-A formulation implemented in COMSOL down to 2 mT. In addition, the proposed method is also applied to HTS tapes carrying transport ac current in a slot of a machine’s stator iron core, and HTS tapes in a stator iron slot in a machine under working conditions. It is found that ac loss calculated by the proposed method increases as the discretization size of the ferromagnetic material’s boundary decreases, and overshoots the value calculated by the T-A formulation in COMSOL when using very fine discretization. Full article

Compared with a traditional distribution transformer with silicon steel sheet as the core material, the no-load loss of an amorphous alloy transformer is greatly reduced due to its core using iron-based amorphous metal material, which has been applied in many countries. However, due to the brittleness of its amorphous strip, an amorphous alloy transformer is prone to debris in the process of production, transportation and work. The charge and migration characteristics of these debris will reduce the insulation strength of the transformer oil and endanger the safe operation of the transformer. In this paper, a charge measurement platform of amorphous alloy debris is set up, and the charging characteristics of amorphous alloy core debris under different flow velocities, particle radius and plate electric field strength are obtained. The results show that with an increase in pipeline flow velocity, the charge-to-mass ratio of the debris increases first and then decreases. With an increase in electric field strength, the charge-to-mass ratio of the debris increases; with an increase in the number of debris, the charge-to-mass ratio of the debris decreases; with an increase in debris size, the charge-to-mass ratio of the debris increases. The debris with different charge-to-mass ratios and types obtained from the above experiments are added to the simulation model of an amorphous alloy transformer. The lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) coupled with the discrete element method (DEM) is used to simulate the migration process of metal particles in an amorphous alloy transformer under the combined action of gravity, buoyancy, electric field force and oil flow resistance under electrothermal excitation boundary. The results show that the trajectory of the debris is related to the initial position, electric field strength and oil flow velocity. The LBM–DEM calculation model and charge measurement platform proposed in this paper can provide a reference for studying the charge mechanism and migration characteristics of amorphous alloy core debris in insulating oil. Full article

This study aimed to elucidate the physiological, biochemical, and transcriptional regulatory responses of potato plants to iron deficiency stress. Two potato varieties were selected for analysis: 05P (high tuber iron content) and CI5 (low tuber iron content). Tissue culture seedlings of both varieties were subjected to iron deficiency, and the effects on stem length, root length, fresh weight, soluble sugar and protein contents, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD) values were evaluated. Additionally, the impact of iron deficiency on zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) concentrations in different tissues were analyzed. Transcriptomic sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were performed on various seedling tissues. The results showed that iron deficiency significantly inhibited seedling growth and development, resulting in reduced plant height and fresh weight, increased root length, decreased leaf SPAD content, and elevated soluble sugar and protein concentration. SOD, POD, and MDA activities were also significantly increased. Elemental analysis revealed that iron deficiency enhanced the uptake and accumulation of Zn, Mg, Ca, Mn, and Cu across different tissues. Transcriptomic analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) significantly enriched in pathways related to photosynthesis, carbon metabolism, and ribosome function in roots, stems, and leaves. Iron deficiency induced the upregulation of H⁺-ATPase genes in roots (PGSC0003DMG400004101, PGSC0003DMG400033034), acidifying the rhizosphere to increase active iron availability. Subsequently, this was followed by the upregulation of FRO genes (PGSC0003DMG400000184, PGSC0003DMG400010125, PGSC0003DMG401009494, PGSC0003DMG401018223), which reduce Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺, and activation of IRT genes, facilitating Fe²⁺ transport to various tissues. Iron deficiency also reduced SPAD content in leaves, negatively impacting photosynthesis and overall plant growth. In response, the osmotic regulation and antioxidant defense systems were activated, enabling the plant to mitigate iron deficiency stress. Additionally, the absorption and accumulation of other metal ions were enhanced, likely as a compensatory mechanism for iron scarcity. At the transcriptional level, iron deficiency induced the expression of genes involved in metal absorption and transport, as well as those related to photosynthesis, carbon metabolism, and ribosomal function, thereby supporting iron homeostasis and maintaining metabolic balance under stress conditions. Full article

Since the first paper published by Susan Cole in 1990 detailing multidrug resistance mediated by ABCC1/MRP1, research into the C-subfamily of ATP-binding cassette transporters has continued to uncover a wide range of functionally divergent proteins. However, several orphan transporters remain in the C-subfamily, and the physiological function and substrates of ABCC5, ABCC11, and ABCC12 remain elusive. This review explores the emerging understanding of human ABCC5. Unlike other ABC transporters with well-defined drug export functions, ABCC5’s physiological roles remain only partially understood. While it is known for its involvement in multidrug resistance in cancers, recent studies suggest broader implications in development, metabolism, neurobiology, and male fertility. ABCC5 exports various endogenous substrates, including cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP), glutamate conjugates like NAAG, and possibly haem. Knockout models in mice, zebrafish, and sea urchins reveal ABCC5’s role in gut formation, brain function, eye development, and iron metabolism. In mice, its deletion results in lower adipose tissue mass, enhanced insulin sensitivity, and neurobehavioral changes resembling schizophrenia, highlighting its role in glutamatergic signalling and circadian regulation. Functionally, ABCC5 appears to impact adipocyte differentiation and GLP-1 release, implicating it in type 2 diabetes susceptibility in humans. Structural studies using human ABCC5 revealed a novel autoinhibitory mechanism involving a peptide segment (C46–S64) that blocks substrate binding, offering new potential for selective inhibitor development. However, this review emphasises caution in targeting ABCC5 for cancer therapy due to its underappreciated physiological function(s), particularly in the brain and male reproductive system. Understanding ABCC5’s substrate specificity, regulatory mechanisms, and functional redundancy with its paralog ABCC12 remains critical for successful therapeutic strategies in humans. Full article

Iron is an essential micronutrient integral to ocular physiology, supporting biochemical processes such as mitochondrial respiration, DNA synthesis and phototransduction. Disruptions in systemic or local iron homeostasis, whether due to overload or deficiency, have been increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of a broad range of anterior and posterior segment ocular disorders. Iron deficiency may compromise retinal bioenergetics, impair cellular repair, and increase susceptibility to oxidative stress, while iron overload facilitates the generation of reactive oxygen species, contributing to lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and ferroptosis. Dysregulated iron metabolism has been associated with several ocular pathologies, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinal detachment, cataracts, and anemic retinopathy. The eye possesses specialized iron regulatory mechanisms involving proteins such as transferrin, ferritin, ferroportin, and hepcidin that govern iron transport, storage, and export across ocular barriers. Aberrations in these pathways are now recognized as contributing factors in disease progression. This narrative review explores the complex dual role of iron overload and deficiency in ocular diseases. It highlights the molecular mechanisms underlying iron-mediated pathologies in both the posterior and anterior segments of the eye, along with the clinical manifestations of iron imbalance. Current therapeutic approaches are discussed, including oral and parenteral iron supplementation for deficiency and emerging chelation-based or antioxidant strategies to address iron overload, while highlighting their limitations. Key challenges remain in developing targeted ocular delivery systems that optimize bioavailability and minimize systemic toxicity. Hence, maintaining iron homeostasis is critical for visual function, and further research is needed to refine therapeutic interventions and clarify the mechanistic role of iron in ocular health and disease. Full article

This study investigates the elemental composition of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in eleven wildland–urban interface (WUI) fire ashes, including one vegetation, six structural, and four vehicle ashes, along with three fire-impacted soil samples. The WUI fire ash samples were collected following the 2020 North Complex (NC) Fire and Sonoma–Lake–Napa unit (LNU) Lightning Complex Fire in California. Efficiency of magnetic separation was confirmed via Time-Domain Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (TD-NMR); the relaxometry showed that the transverse relaxation rate R₂ decreased from 2.02 s⁻¹ before separation to 0.29 s⁻¹ after separation (ΔR₂ = −1.73 s⁻¹; −86%), due to the removal of magnetic particles. The particle number concentrations, size distributions, and elemental compositions (and ratios) of MNPs were determined using single particle-inductively coupled plasma–time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-TOF-MS). The major types of nanoparticles (NPs) detected in the magnetically separated MNPs were Fe-, Ti-, Cr-, Pb-, Mn-, and Zn-bearing NPs. The iron-bearing NPs accounted for 3.2 to 83.5% of the magnetically separated MNPs, and decreased following the order vegetation ash (77.4%) > soil (63.2–69.9%) > structural (3.2–83.5%) ash. The titanium-bearing NPs accounted for 3.3 to 66.1% of the magnetically separated MNPs, and decreased following the order vehicle (14.1–66.1%) > structural (3.5–36.4%) > vegetation (3.3%) ash. The majority of the detected NPs in the fire ashes occurred in the form of multi-metal (mm) NPs, attributed to the presence of NPs as heteroaggregates and/or due to the sorption of metals on the surfaces of NPs during combustion. However, a notable fraction (3–91%) of the detected NPs occurred as single-metal (sm) NPs, particularly smFe-bearing NPs, which accounted for 48 to 91% of all the Fe-bearing particles in the magnetically separated MNPs. The elemental ratios (e.g., Al/Fe, Ti/Fe, Cr/Fe, and Zn/Fe) in the magnetically separated MNPs from structural and vehicle ashes were higher than those in the soil samples and vegetation ashes, indicating enrichment of metals in magnetically separated NPs from vehicle and structural ashes compared to vegetation ash. Overall, this study demonstrates that the MNPs generated by WUI fire ash are associated with potentially toxic elements (e.g., Cr and Zn), exacerbating the environmental and human health risks of WUI fires. This study also highlights the need for further research into the properties, environmental fate, transport, and interactions of MNPs with biological systems during and following WUI fires. Full article

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a Gram-negative diplococcus that causes gonorrhea through sexual contact. This ancient STD remains a major public health concern due to reproductive health impacts, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and lack of a vaccine. Cannabis sativa contains antibacterial cannabinoids, though its role in combating antibiotic resistance is underexplored. The 2Fe-2S iron–sulfur cluster protein is a potential antibiotic target, as these clusters are vital for bacterial proteins involved in electron transport, enzyme activity, and gene regulation. Disrupting them may impair bacterial survival and function. In this investigation, the 2Fe–2S iron sulfur cluster binding domain-containing protein (NGFG_RS03485), identified as a potential therapeutic target from the core proteome of 12 Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains, was selected for this study. Potential antimicrobial agents were explored through molecular docking studies involving 16 cannabinoid analogs—9 obtained from literature sources and 7 identified via fingerprint similarity searches. The study revealed that four cannabinoids form favorable bonds with active regions against our targeted protein; with a high binding affinity formed from the molecular docking; 1,3-Benzenediol, 2-[3-methyl-6-(1-methylethenyl)-2-cyclohexen-1-yl]-5-pentyl-, (1R-trans). Dronabinol, Cannabinolic acid A (CBNA), Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), and Ferruginene C are derivatives identified. Drug-likeness assessments were conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and toxicity properties of the cannabinoids and compared against the antibiotics. Full article

K-jarosite (KFe₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆), the most common jarosite-type mineral in natural and industrial settings, has been widely studied to understand its dissolution behavior in both environmental and industrial contexts. However, reported kinetic data remain inconsistent due to the combined influence of kinetic factors, despite the importance of such data for optimizing system conditions and improving process control and environmental management. The present work aims to help elucidate K-jarosite dissolution by carrying out new experiments in sulfuric acid medium (pH 1 and 2) at different temperatures (296, 323 and 343 K) and using two initial concentrations (0.4 and 1 g of K-jarosite/kg of solution). K-jarosite was synthesized and characterized by analytical techniques (XRD, SEM and BET), and the composition was determined by induction-coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Derivative (DVKM), Noyes–Whitney (NWKM) and Shrinking Core (SCKM) kinetic models previously used in the literature of jarosite-type compounds were adjusted to the data obtained here and compared. The results showed that higher temperatures and lower pH led to faster dissolution rates. Smaller initial concentrations decreased the rates slightly but had less impact than the other variables. Experiments at pH 1 led to the dissolution of all jarosite solids, while at pH 2 they led to incomplete dissolution. Remarkably, at pH 2 and at higher temperatures (mainly at 343 K), there was slight reprecipitation of the iron. XRD analysis identified no peak other than K-jarosite peaks after dissolution. DVKM and NWKM represented the effect of the studied parameters well. However, only using SCKM was a kinetic equation describing the dissolution process obtained. While the behavior of the kinetic curve is well established, the model fails to correctly describe the induction period. Under extreme conditions (>323 K, pH 1), dissolution is described by a chemical reaction controlling stage and it changes to mass transport in mild conditions. As theoretically expected, the results obtained in this work give important information about the prediction of the behavior of jarosite dissolution in terrestrial environments (acid mine and acid rock drainages) and hydrometallurgical process in mild acidic conditions and high temperatures. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the influence of different organic fertilizers and their concentrations on the growth of ‘Orah’ (Citrus reticulata Blanco) seedlings, as well as on the mineral nutrient contents, chemical and biological properties, and microbial community of the soil. Five types of organic fertilizers and three concentrations were studied. The seedling growth indexes, leaf mineral elements, soil mineral elements, soil enzyme activity, and soil microorganisms were measured. The results showed that organic fertilization significantly increased the contents of eight mineral elements in leaves, depending on the types and concentrations used. Specifically, rapeseed cake fertilizer was found to significantly increase the content of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) in the leaves. Furthermore, compared with applying only chemical fertilizers or no fertilizers at all, the application of organic fertilizer significantly increased the content of soil organic matter (SOM) and several mineral elements in the soil. The bacterial species composition of soil treated with common organic fertilizer and bio-organic fertilizer, and sheep manure were similar; however, the bacterial composition was significantly different in the soil which been treated with rapeseed cake compared to these other three fertilizers. Additionally, PICRUSt function predicting indicates that the core microbial community in the rapeseed cake group could promote synthesis and the transport of sugar, iron and other substances. Organic fertilizer can change soil chemical and biological properties by affecting the core microbial community structure, and further promote accumulation of mineral elements in the leaves of citrus seedlings. Full article