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Selecting plant species that can overcome unfavorable conditions and increase the recovery of degraded mined lands remains a challenge. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using transplanted tree seedlings for the phytoremediation of lead/zinc and copper mine tailings. One-year-old bare-root of woody species (Rhus chinensisMill,Quercus acutissimaCarruth,Liquidambar formosanaHance,Vitex trifoliaLinn. var.simplicifoliaCham,Lespedeza cuneataandAmorpha fruticosaLinn) were transplanted into pots with mine tailings and tested as potential metal-tolerant plants. Seedling survival, plant growth, root trait, nutrient uptake, and metal accumulation and translocation were assessed. The six species grew in both tailings and showed different tolerance level.A. fruticosawas highly tolerant of Zn, Pb and Cu, and grew normally in both tailings. Metal concentrations were higher in the roots than in the shoots of the six species. All of the species had low bioconcentration and translocation factor values. However,R. chinensisandL. formosanahad significantly higher translocation factor values for Pb (0.88) and Zn (1.78) than the other species. The nitrogen-fixing species,A. fruticosa,had the highest tolerance and biomass production, implying that it has great potential in the phytoremediation of tailing areas in southern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate the renal microvascular injury in acute aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) and the protective effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in acute AAN. Methods: Female Sprague--Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. The rats in PGE1 group received Caulis Aristolochia manshuriensis (CAM) decoction by gavage for 5 days, and PGE1 was given by vena caudalis before gavage. The rats in model group were gavaged with CAM for 5 days, and the same dose of 0.9%% physiologic saline was given by vena caudalis. The rats in control group only received an equal daily volume of saline solution by gavage. Animals were killed at days 3, 5, and 7. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and urinary protein were monitored before killing. Microvascular density was determined by JG12 immunostaining. The expression of angiogenic factor was assessed by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Tubulointerstitial hypoxia was assessed by hypoxia-inducible factor-1αα (HIF-1αα) expression. Results: CAM induced a significant decrease in VEGF expression and microvascular density in the kidney tissue, accompanied by a significant increase in HIF-1αα, which reduced renal function and increased 24-h urinary protein excretion rates. PGE1 lessened the capillary loss, relieved hypoxia, and protected renal function. No significant pathological changes were found in control rats. Conclusion: The renal microvascular injury in acute AAN is severe. PGE1 can significantly ameliorate the renal microvascular injury, relieve hypoxia, and protect renal function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]