A New Approach for the Preparation of Variable Valence Rare Earth Alloys from Nano Rare Earth Oxides at a Low Temperature in Molten Salt

The solubility of RE2O3 (RE = Eu, Sm, and Yb) with variable valence in molten salts is extremely low. It is impossible to directly obtain variable valence metals or alloys from RE2O3 using electrolysis in molten salts. We describe a new approach for the preparation of variable valence rare earth alloys from nano rare earth oxide. The excellent dispersion of nano–Eu2O3 in LiCl–KCl melts was clearly observed using a luminescent feature of Eu3+ as a probe. The ratio of solubility of nano-Sm2O3/common Sm2O3 is 16.98. Electrochemical behavior of RE2O3 on a molybdenum and Al electrode in LiCl–KCl melts containing AlCl3 at 480 °C was investigated by different electrochemical techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry, and chronopotentiometry. Prior to the reduction peak of Al, the reduction peaks of Sm(III)/Sm(II), Yb(III)/Yb(II), and Eu(III)/Eu(II) were observed at about −0.85, −0.45, and 0.39 V insquare wave voltammetry, respectively. The underpotential deposition of RE on pre-deposited aluminum leads to the formation of Al–RE alloy. The structure, morphology, and energy dispersion analysis of the deposit obtained by potentiostatic electrolysis are analyzed. Al2Sm and Al3Sm alloys were successfully obtained from nano–Sm2O3

Mini review of TiO2-based multifunctional nanocomposites for near-infrared light-responsive phototherapy

Phototherapy with the properties of specific spatial/temporal selectivity and minimal invasiveness has been acknowledged as one of the most promising cancer therapy types. Among all the photoactive substance for phototherapy, titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) nanomaterials are paid more and more attention due to their outstanding photocatalytic properties, prominent biocompatibility, and excellent chemical stability. However, the wide bandgap (3.0-3.2 eV) of TiO2 limits its absorption only to the ultraviolet (UV) light region. For a long time, UV light-stimulated TiO2 was applied in the phototherapy researches of tumors located in the skin layer, while it is unsatisfactory for most deep-tissue tumors. Due to the maximum penetration into tissue existing in the near-infrared (NIR) region, how to use NIR light to trigger photochemical reaction of TiO2 remains a big challenge. In this review, two strategies to develop and construct NIR-triggered TiO2 -based nanocomposites (NCs) for phototherapy are summarized, and the relevant mechanism and background knowledge of TiO2 -based phototherapy are also given in order to better understand the application value and current situation of TiO2 in phototherapy. Finally, the challenges and research directions of TiO2 in the future clinic phototherapy application are also discussed

Spatiotemporal patterns of planted forests on the Loess Plateau between 1986 and 2021 based on Landsat NDVI time-series analysis

Long-term and large scale spatiotemporal patterns of planted forests are essential for evaluating local plantation effectiveness and to promote sustainable afforestation. Satellite remote sensing data provide broad spatial coverage and increasingly long-term and large scale records for spatiotemporal analysis of planted forests. In this study, we developed a dynamic and conversion extraction (DCE) framework by combining the similarity of Landsat normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time-series with a change detection algorithm. This framework allows the analysis of spatiotemporal dynamics of planted forests. The proposed framework can be used to extract the planting year and conversion patterns of planted forests by performing the Mann-Kendall (MK) statistic test on the inter-annual Landsat NDVI time-series and measuring the similarity of the intra-annual time-series, respectively. Therefore, it can be applied to addressing the key questions on where, when, and how planted forests conversions have occurred. Took the Loess Plateau in China as an example, we applied the DCE framework to illustrate how planted forests have changed over time and space and have been converted from other land cover types from 1986 to 2021. The producer and user accuracies for the mapping of planted forests were 88.22% and 87.11% in 2021, respectively, and the accuracy of identifying planted forests conversions was 80.25%. The results showed that the newly planted forests experienced four phases: a slow rise from 1986 to 2000, a sharp increase during 2001–2004, a fluctuating pattern from 2005 to 2013, and a reduction until 2020, resulting in a total planted forest area of 7.13 Mha in 2021. In addition, 83.51% of the planted forest pixels underwent conversion from grasslands (58.19% or 4.15 Mha) or croplands (25.32% or 1.81 Mha) during 1986–2021. These results indicate the capability of the DCE framework to capture essential information (planting year and conversion patterns) to support the spatiotemporal analysis of planted forests at large scales

Cu single atom nanozyme based high-efficiency mild photothermal therapy through cellular metabolic regulation

Upregulation of heat shock proteins (HSPs) drastically compromises the treatment effect of mild photothermal therapy (PTT). Herein, we designed a polyporous Cu single atom nanozyme (Cu SAzyme) loaded with licogliflozin (LIK066) for HSP-silencing induced mild PTT. On one hand, LIK066 inhibits glucose uptake by shutting sodium-dependent glucose transporter (SGLT) "valve", effectively blocking the energy source for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation. Without sufficient energy, cancer cells cannot synthesize HSPs. On the other hand, Cu SAzyme presents extraordinary multienzyme activities to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) storm formation, which can damage the existing HSPs in cancer cells. Through a two-pronged strategy of SGLT inhibitor and ROS storm, LIK066-loaded Cu SAzyme shows high efficiency for comprehensive removal of HSPs to realize mild PTT.This project was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFB3804500), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC 52072082, 51929201, 51672268, 51720105015, 51972138, 52250077, and 51828202), the Science and Technology Development Planning Project of Jilin Province (20190201232JC and 20210402046GH), the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2019A1515012214), and the Open Research Funds from the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital (202011-105)

Fabrication and Luminescence Properties of Ca2RE8(SiO4)6O2: Pb21, Dy31 (RE5Y, Gd) One-dimensional Phosphors by Electrospinning Method

2þ, Dy3þ (REY, Gd) nanobelts and microfibers were fabricated by a simple and cost-effective electrospinning method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence (PL) and low voltage cathodoluminescence (CL) were used to characterize the resulting samples. SEM and TEM results indicated that the width and the thickness of Ca2Gd8 (SiO4)6O2: Pb 2þ, Dy3þ nanobelts annealed at 1000C for 4 h were 220–250 and 90–100 nm, respectively. The diameter of the Ca2Gd8(SiO4)6O2: Pb 2þ, Dy3þ microfibers annealed at 1000C for 4 h was 140–190 nm. When the samples were excited by ultra-violet (254 nm), the Pb2þ can sensitize the Gd3þ sublattice, and the energy can be efficiently transferred from Pb2þ to Dy3þ in Ca2Gd8(SiO4)6O2. Under low-voltage electron beams (4–6 kV) excitation, the Ca2RE8(SiO4)6O2: Pb 2þ, Dy3þ (REY, Gd) sam-ples showed strong white emission. The PL and CL intensities of Ca2Gd8(SiO4)6O2: Pb 2þ, Dy3þ microfibers were higher than those of Ca2Gd8(SiO4)6O2: Pb 2þ, Dy3þ nanobelts. The CIE chromaticity coordinates of Ca2Y8(SiO4)6O2: P

Surface-Functionalized NdVO₄:Gd³⁺ Nanoplates as Active Agents for Near-Infrared-Light-Triggered and Multimodal-Imaging-Guided Photothermal Therapy

Development of nanotheranostic agents with near-infrared (NIR) absorption offers an effective tool for fighting malignant diseases. Lanthanide ion neodymium (Nd3+)-based nanomaterials, due to the maximum absorption at around 800 nm and unique optical properties, have caught great attention as potential agents for simultaneous cancer diagnosis and therapy. Herein, we employed an active nanoplatform based on gadolinium-ion-doped NdVO4 nanoplates (NdVO4:Gd3+ NPs) for multiple-imaging-assisted photothermal therapy. These NPs exhibited enhanced NIR absorption and excellent biocompatibility after being grafted with polydopamine (pDA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) layers on their surface. Upon expose to an 808 nm laser, these resulting NPs were able to trigger hyperthermia rapidly and cause photo-destruction of cancer cells. In a xenograft tumor model, tumor growth was also significantly inhibited by these photothermal agents under NIR laser irradiation. Owing to the multicomponent nanostructures, we demonstrated these nanoagents as being novel contrast agents for in vivo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, X-ray computed tomography (CT), photoacoustic (PA) imaging, and second biological window fluorescent imaging of tumor models. Thus, we believe that this new kind of nanotherapeutic will benefit the development of emerging nanosystems for biological imaging and cancer therapy

Chemical Composition, Antibacterial Test, and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils from Fresh and Dried Stropharia rugosoannulata

The essential oils, respectively, from fresh and dried Stropharia rugosoannulata fruiting bodies, an important edible mushroom, have been studied for their chemical composition, antibacterial capacity, and antioxidant activity. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) combined with Kovats retention index. The oils’ antibacterial test was evaluated by the microdilution method against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and antioxidant activity was determined through DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing power. Twenty-nine components were identified from the fresh mushroom, and the compositions were mainly dominated by hydrocarbons (54.72%), acids (32.99%), esters (5.07%), and terpenic compounds (0.96%). Thirty-five components were identified from the dried sample, and acids (31.22%), terpenic compounds (28.7%), alcohols (12.7%), and ketones (10.48%) were the major compounds. Strong antibacterial capacity and obvious antioxidant activity were observed for both essential oils from the fresh and dried mushrooms