scholarly journals The Role of New Inorganic Materials in Composite Membranes for Water Disinfection

Membranes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Castro-Muñoz
Keyword(s):  
Composite Membranes ◽  
Membrane Bioreactors ◽  
Polymeric Membranes ◽  
Inorganic Materials ◽  
Water Disinfection ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Separation Performance ◽  
Nanofiltration Membrane ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Today, there is an increasing interest in improving the physicochemical properties of polymeric membranes by merging the membranes with different inorganic materials. These so-called composite membranes have been implemented in different membrane-based technologies (e.g., microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, membrane bioreactors, among others) for water treatment and disinfection. This is because such inorganic materials (such as TiO2-, ZnO-, Ag-, and Cu-based nanoparticles, carbon-based materials, to mention just a few) can improve the separation performance of membranes and also some other properties, such as antifouling, mechanical, thermal, and physical and chemical stability. Moreover, such materials display specific biological activity towards viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, showing enhanced water disinfection properties. Therefore, the aim of this review is to collect the latest advances (in the last five years) in using composite membranes and new hybrid materials for water disinfection, paying particular emphasis on relevant results and new hydride composites together with their preparation protocols. Moreover, this review addresses the main mechanism of action of different conventional and novel inorganic materials toward biologically active matter.

scholarly journals CO2 Separation with Polymer/Aniline Composite Membranes

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1363
Author(s):  
Hwa Jin Lee ◽  
Sang Wook Kang
Keyword(s):  
Benzene Ring ◽  
Polymer Matrix ◽  
Composite Membranes ◽  
Separation Performance ◽  
Amino Group ◽  
Sem Images ◽  
Ft Ir ◽  
High Separation ◽  
Ft Ir Spectroscopy

Polymer composite membranes containing aniline were prepared for CO2/N2 separation. Aniline was selected for high separation performance as an additive containing both the benzene ring to interfere with gas transport and an amino group that could induce the accelerated transport of CO2 molecules. As a result, when aniline having both a benzene ring and an amino group was incorporated into polymer membranes, the selectivity was largely enhanced by the role of both gas barriers and CO2 carriers. Selective layers coated on the polysulfone were identified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and the interaction with aniline in the polymer matrix was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The binding energy of oxygen in the polymer matrix was investigated by XPS, and the thermal stability of the composite membrane was confirmed by TGA.

scholarly journals Mechanism and Compatibility of Pretreated Lignocellulosic Biomass and Polymeric Mixed Matrix Membranes: A Review

Membranes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 370
Author(s):  
Abiodun Abdulhameed Amusa ◽  
Abdul Latif Ahmad ◽  
Jimoh Kayode Adewole
Keyword(s):  
Lignocellulosic Biomass ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Polymeric Membranes ◽  
Hydroxyl Group ◽  
Mixed Matrix Membranes ◽  
Separation Performance ◽  
Polymer Modification ◽  
Mixed Matrix ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
Matrix Membranes

In this paper, a review of the compatibility of polymeric membranes with lignocellulosic biomass is presented. The structure and composition of lignocellulosic biomass which could enhance membrane fabrications are considered. However, strong cell walls and interchain hindrances have limited the commercial-scale applications of raw lignocellulosic biomasses. These shortcomings can be surpassed to improve lignocellulosic biomass applications by using the proposed pretreatment methods, including physical and chemical methods, before incorporation into a single-polymer or copolymer matrix. It is imperative to understand the characteristics of lignocellulosic biomass and polymeric membranes, as well as to investigate membrane materials and how the separation performance of polymeric membranes containing lignocellulosic biomass can be influenced. Hence, lignocellulosic biomass and polymer modification and interfacial morphology improvement become necessary in producing mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). In general, the present study has shown that future membrane generations could attain high performance, e.g., CO2 separation using MMMs containing pretreated lignocellulosic biomasses with reachable hydroxyl group radicals.

Anti-Hypertensive Potential and Epigenetics of Angiotensin II type 2 Receptor (AT2R)

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayank Chaudhary
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Renin Angiotensin System ◽  
Blood Pressure Regulation ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Pressure Regulation ◽  
Tissue Remodelling ◽  
Critical Pathway

Background:: Renin angiotensin system (RAS) is a critical pathway involved in blood pressure regulation. Octapeptide, angiotensin II (Ang aII), is biologically active compound of RAS pathway which mediates its action by binding to either angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) or angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R). Binding of Ang II to AT1R facilitates blood pressure regulation whereas AT2R is primarily involved in wound healing and tissue remodelling. Objective:: Recent studies have highlighted additional role of AT2R to counter balance detrimental effects of AT1R. Activation of angiotensin II type 2 receptor using AT2R agonist has shown effect on natriuresis and release of nitric oxide. Additionally, AT2R activation has been found to inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and enhance angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) activity. These findings highlight the potential of AT2R as novel therapeutic target against hypertension. Conclusion:: The potential role of AT2R highlights the importance of exploring additional mechanisms that might be crucial for AT2R expression. Epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation and histone modification have been explored vastly with relation to cancer but role of such mechanisms on expression of AT2R has recently gained interest.

Recent Progress in the Analysis of Captopril Using Electrochemical Methods: A Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarfaraz Ahmed Mahesar ◽  
Saeed Ahmed Lakho ◽  
Syed Tufail Hussain Sherazi ◽  
Hamid Ali Kazi ◽  
Kamran Ahmed Abro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Inhibitor ◽  
Modified Electrodes ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Pharmaceutical Formulations ◽  
Inorganic Materials ◽  
Electrochemical Methods ◽  
Nano Particles ◽  
Moderate Heart Failure ◽  
Analytical Instrumentation

Background: Captopril is the synthetic dipeptide used as an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. Captopril is used to treat hypertension as well as for the treatment of moderate heart failure. Analytical instrumentation and methodology plays an important role in pharmaceutical analysis. Methods: This review presents some important applications of electrochemical modes used for the analysis of captopril. So far captopril has been analyzed by using different bare and modified working electrodes with a variety of modifiers from organic and inorganic materials to various types of nano particles/materials. Results: This paper presents some of the methods which have been published in the last few years i.e. from 2003 to 2016. This review highlights the role of the analytical instrumentation, particularly electrochemical methods in assessing captopril using various working electrodes. Conclusion: A large number of studies on voltammetry noted by means of various bare and modified electrodes. Among all of the published voltammetric methods, DPV, SWV, CV and miscellaneous modes were trendy techniques used to analyze captopril in pharmaceutical formulations as well as biological samples. Electrodes modified with nanomaterials are promising sensing tools as this showed high sensitivity, good accuracy with precision as well as selectivity. In comparison to chromatographic methods, the main advantages of electrochemical methods are its cheaper instrumentation, lower detection limit and minimal or no sample preparation.

scholarly journals Reconstitution in Proteoliposomes of the Recombinant Human Riboflavin Transporter 2 (SLC52A2) Overexpressed in E. coli

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
pp. 4416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Console ◽  
Maria Tolomeo ◽  
Matilde Colella ◽  
Maria Barile ◽  
Cesare Indiveri
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Amino Acids ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Native Protein ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Few Data ◽  
Riboflavin Transport

Background: the SLC52A2 gene encodes for the riboflavin transporter 2 (RFVT2). This transporter is ubiquitously expressed. It mediates the transport of Riboflavin across cell membranes. Riboflavin plays a crucial role in cells since its biologically active forms, FMN and FAD, are essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids. Mutation of the Riboflavin transporters is a risk factor for anemia, cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration. Inborn mutations of SLC52A2 are associated with Brown-Vialetto-van Laere syndrome, a rare neurological disorder characterized by infancy onset. In spite of the important metabolic and physio/pathological role of this transporter few data are available on its function and regulation. Methods: the human recombinant RFVT2 has been overexpressed in E. coli, purified and reconstituted into proteoliposomes in order to characterize its activity following the [3H]Riboflavin transport. Results: the recombinant hRFVT2 showed a Km of 0.26 ± 0.07 µM and was inhibited by lumiflavin, FMN and Mg2+. The Riboflavin uptake was also regulated by Ca2+. The native protein extracted from fibroblast and reconstituted in proteoliposomes also showed inhibition by FMN and lumiflavin. Conclusions: proteoliposomes represent a suitable model to assay the RFVT2 function. It will be useful for screening the mutation of RFVT2.

Miscible blend polyethersulfone/polyimide asymmetric membrane crosslinked with 1,3-diaminopropane for hydrogen separation

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur’ Adilah Abdul Nasir ◽  
Ameen Gabr Ahmed Alshaghdari ◽  
Mohd Usman Mohd Junaidi ◽  
Nur Awanis Hashim ◽  
Mohamad Fairus Rabuni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Separation Efficiency ◽  
Chemical Characterization ◽  
Gas Permeation ◽  
Separation Performance ◽  
Membrane Composition ◽  
Asymmetric Membrane ◽  
Wet Phase Inversion ◽  
Pair Performance ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Abstract Efficient purification technology is crucial to fully utilize hydrogen (H2) as the next generation fuel source. Polyimide (PI) membranes have been intensively applied for H2 purification but its current separation performance of neat PI membranes is insufficient to fulfill industrial demand. This study employs blending and crosslinking modification simultaneously to enhance the separation efficiency of a membrane. Polyethersulfone (PES) and Co-PI (P84) blend asymmetric membranes have been prepared via dry–wet phase inversion with three different ratios. Pure H2 and carbon dioxide (CO2) gas permeation are conducted on the polymer blends to find the best formulation for membrane composition for effective H2 purification. Next, the membrane with the best blending ratio is chemically modified using 1,3-diaminopropane (PDA) with variable reaction time. Physical and chemical characterization of all membranes was evaluated using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Upon 15 min modification, the polymer membrane achieved an improvement on H2/CO2 selectivity by 88.9%. Moreover, similar membrane has demonstrated the best performance as it has surpassed Robeson’s upper bound curve for H2/CO2 gas pair performance. Therefore, this finding is significant towards the development of H2-selective membranes with improved performance.

scholarly journals Extracellular Vesicles: Novel Opportunities to Understand and Detect Neoplastic Diseases

2021 ◽  
pp. 030098582199932
Author(s):  
Laura Bongiovanni ◽  
Anneloes Andriessen ◽  
Marca H. M. Wauben ◽  
Esther N. M. Nolte-’t Hoen ◽  
Alain de Bruin
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Liquid Biopsies ◽  
Donor Cells ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Veterinary Pathology ◽  
Cell Components ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Intercellular Communications

With a size range from 30 to 1000 nm, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are one of the smallest cell components able to transport biologically active molecules. They mediate intercellular communications and play a fundamental role in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and pathogenesis in several types of diseases. In particular, EVs actively contribute to cancer initiation and progression, and there is emerging understanding of their role in creation of the metastatic niche. This fact underlies the recent exponential growth in EV research, which has improved our understanding of their specific roles in disease and their potential applications in diagnosis and therapy. EVs and their biomolecular cargo reflect the state of the diseased donor cells, and can be detected in body fluids and exploited as biomarkers in cancer and other diseases. Relatively few studies have been published on EVs in the veterinary field. This review provides an overview of the features and biology of EVs as well as recent developments in EV research including techniques for isolation and analysis, and will address the way in which the EVs released by diseased tissues can be studied and exploited in the field of veterinary pathology. Uniquely, this review emphasizes the important contribution that pathologists can make to the field of EV research: pathologists can help EV scientists in studying and confirming the role of EVs and their molecular cargo in diseased tissues and as biomarkers in liquid biopsies.

scholarly journals Doxycycline-Doped Polymeric Membranes Induced Growth, Differentiation and Expression of Antigenic Phenotype Markers of Osteoblasts

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1063
Author(s):  
Manuel Toledano-Osorio ◽  
Francisco J. Manzano-Moreno ◽  
Manuel Toledano ◽  
Antonio L. Medina-Castillo ◽  
Victor J. Costela-Ruiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Composite Membranes ◽  
Polymeric Membranes ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Polymeric Scaffold ◽  
Hla Dr ◽  
Proliferation And Differentiation ◽  
Physical Barriers ◽  
Antigenic Phenotype ◽  
Biomimetic Membrane ◽  
Phenotype Markers

Polymeric membranes are employed in guided bone regeneration (GBR) as physical barriers to facilitate bone in-growth. A bioactive and biomimetic membrane with the ability to participate in the healing and regeneration of the bone is necessary. The aim of the present study was to analyze how novel silicon dioxide composite membranes functionalized with zinc or doxycycline can modulate the osteoblasts’ proliferation, differentiation, and expression of selected antigenic markers related to immunomodulation. Nanostructured acrylate-based membranes were developed, blended with silica, and functionalized with zinc or doxycycline. They were subjected to MG63 osteoblast-like cells culturing. Proliferation was assessed by MTT-assay, differentiation by evaluating the alkaline phosphatase activity by a spectrophotometric method and antigenic phenotype was assessed by flow cytometry for selected markers. Mean comparisons were conducted by one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (p < 0.05). The blending of silica nanoparticles in the tested non-resorbable polymeric scaffold improved the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts, but doxycycline doped scaffolds attained the best results. Osteoblasts cultured on doxycycline functionalized membranes presented higher expression of CD54, CD80, CD86, and HLA-DR, indicating a beneficial immunomodulation activity. Doxycycline doped membranes may be a potential candidate for use in GBR procedures in several challenging pathologies, including periodontal disease.

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