Abstract The current paper critically reviews the state-of-the-science on (1) microplastics (MP) types and particle concentrations in freshwater ecosystems, (2) MP and nanoplastics (NP) uptake and tissue translocation, (3) MP/NP-induced effects in freshwater organisms, and (4) capabilities of MP/NP to modulate the toxicity of environmental chemicals. The reviewed literature as well as new data on MP and NP concentrations in the river Elbe and on particle uptake into human cells indicate an environmental relevance of small particles in the low nano- and micrometer range higher than that of larger MP.
Abstract Ecological civilization (shengtai wenming ) has been written into China’s constitution as the ideological framework for the country’s environmental policies, laws and education. It is also increasingly presented not only as a response to environmental degradation in China, but as a vision for our global future. In this article, scholars from the disciplines of media science, anthropology and sinology analyse media representations of eco-civilization in order to explore which values and visions this highly profiled state project actually entails. The article argues that eco-civilization is best understood as a sociotechnical imaginary in which cultural and moral virtues constitute key components that are inseparable from the more well-known technological, judicial, and political goals. The imaginary of eco-civilization seeks to construct a sense of cultural and national continuity, and to place China at the center of the world by invoking its civilization’s more than 2000 years of traditional philosophical heritage as a part of the solution for the planet’s future. It is constructed as a new kind of Communist Party led utopia in which market economy and consumption continue to grow, and where technology and science have solved the basic problems of pollution and environmental degradation. Download : Download high-res image (6KB) Download : Download full-size image
Rotenone, a widely used agricultural pesticide has been linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD) following chronic exposure. Our previous study found that rotenone not only caused motor deficits in mice, but was also able to cause cognitive deficits, a common non-motor symptom in PD. This study aimed to explore whether activation of the SIRT1-Nrf2 axis confers neuroprotection against rotenone-induced cognitive impairments. We found that rotenone significantly decreased the expression and activation of SIRT1 and Nrf2 in the hippocampus of mice. Pharmacological activation of SIRT1 and Nrf2 using resveratrol and tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), respectively, markedly ameliorated rotenone-induced learning and memory impairments and neuronal damage. Mechanistically, resveratrol and TBHQ suppressed microglial activation and the expression of proinflammatory genes (iNOS, TNFα, IL-1β), attenuated C3-CR3 signaling, and restored the levels of synaptic proteins (PSD95, mBDNF, TrkB), indicating suppression of abnormal glia-mediated synaptic pruning. Furthermore, SIRT1-Nrf2 axis activation reduced iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus, accompanied by increased GPX4 and decreased COX2 and ACSL4 expression, suggesting suppression of neuronal ferroptosis. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that activation of the SIRT1-Nrf2 axis alleviates rotenone-induced cognitive deficits by inhibiting microglia-mediated synaptic pruning and neuronal ferroptosis. These results provide mechanistic insight and a potential therapeutic target for pesticide-induced neurotoxicity and PD-related cognitive dysfunction.
John Lloyd V Manangan, Justin N Maceda, Junel E Omandam
et al.
Mountain ranges host diverse species, particularly in biodiversity hotspots such as the Philippines, where habitat degradation threatens many taxa, including the insect order Odonata. This study assessed the diversity and distribution of dragonflies and damselflies in Kalagonoy and Lunotan, Jamboree Site, Mt. Balatukan Range Natural Park (MBRNP), Misamis Oriental, Mindanao, using opportunistic sampling across different vegetation types in October and December 2024. We recorded 363 individuals representing 42 species, 11 families, and 26 genera, with a high endemism rate of 62% (26 species). The most abundant species was the greater Mindanao gossamerwing Euphaea amphicyana Ris, 1930 (n = 44). Eight endemic species were classified as species of conservation concern, including three Near Threatened, four Vulnerable, and one Endangered ( Risiocnemis moroensis Hämäläinen 1991). Biodiversity indices were highest in mixed agroforest sites, while species composition differed markedly between forested and agricultural areas. Multivariate and correlation analyses suggested that endemic species were closely associated with cool, humid forest habitats, whereas widespread Asian species were linked to agricultural areas with open canopies, warmer conditions, and reduced humidity. The dependence of endemic and threatened Odonata on intact forests underscores the need for strengthened conservation strategies in protected areas, including species-specific habitat protection and ecological restoration. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining forest cover, particularly in high-elevation and buffer zones, while promoting sustainable agroforestry and restoring degraded habitats to enhance habitat connectivity and conservation outcomes.
AbstractThe mammalian gut harbors a complex and dynamic microbial ecosystem: the microbiota. While emerging studies support that microbiota regulates brain function with a few molecular cues suggested, the overall biochemical landscape of the “microbiota-gut-brain axis” remains largely unclear. Here we use high-coverage metabolomics to comparatively profile feces, blood sera, and cerebral cortical brain tissues of germ-free C57BL/6 mice and their age-matched conventionally raised counterparts. Results revealed for all three matrices metabolomic signatures owing to microbiota, yielding hundreds of identified metabolites including 533 altered for feces, 231 for sera, and 58 for brain with numerous significantly enriched pathways involving aromatic amino acids and neurotransmitters. Multicompartmental comparative analyses single out microbiota-derived metabolites potentially implicated in interorgan transport and the gut-brain axis, as exemplified by indoxyl sulfate and trimethylamine-N-oxide. Gender-specific characteristics of these landscapes are discussed. Our findings may be valuable for future research probing microbial influences on host metabolism and gut-brain communication.
The impact of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) transition on the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) during post-ENSO summer has been investigated widely, but how to quantify ENSO transition precisely is still a challenge. This study proposes a new index to quantify ENSO transition based on the intensity of the spring persistence barrier. After validation through the key processes that influence ENSO transition, the index could be further validated by investigating the relationship between transitive/persistent ENSO events and the EASM. For the transitive ENSO events, the cold sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly in the central Pacific during post-ENSO summer strengthens the anticyclone over the western Pacific and the EASM by reinforcing the Walker circulation and the local Hadley circulation. In contrast, during the persistent ENSO events, the prolonged warm SST anomaly in the central Pacific exerts a relatively weaker impact on the EASM due to a less robust atmospheric response over the western Pacific.
Grasping the genetic structure of marine fish populations is vital for comprehending species connectivity patterns and determining the appropriate spatiotemporal scales for conservation management strategies. Here, we analyzed the population genetics of the Orangefin Ponyfish (Photopectoralis bindus Valenciennes, 1835) by examining a portion of the gene coding for the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I. The aim was to evaluate the haplotype pattern, genetic structure, demographic history, as well as the influence of ecological connectivity through the Qiongzhou Strait on the distribution patterns of this species in the northern South China Sea and the Beibu Gulf. In total, 257 specimens yielded only 13 haplotypes, with the predominant haplotype present at all sampling locations. The analysis revealed a “star-like” haplotype pattern, indicating low levels of both haplotype and nucleotide diversity. Additionally, a small but significant genetic structure was observed between the coastal regions flanking the Leizhou Peninsula. These patterns in the haplotype network and genetic structure may be significantly influenced by contemporary currents, particularly through the connectivity of the Qiongzhou Strait. Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs demonstrated pronouncedly negative values, along with a unimodal mismatch distribution, suggested a recent demographic expansion of Photopectoralis bindus during the late Pleistocene, likely influenced by fluctuations in sea levels.
Science, General. Including nature conservation, geographical distribution