Decolorization of industrial wastewater using electrochemical peroxidation process

In this study, decolorization of wastewater samples taken from the paper industry is investigated using electrochemical peroxidation process. The electrochemical peroxidation process is a part of electrochemical advanced oxidation processes, which is based on the Fenton’s chemical reaction, provided by addition of external H2O2 into reaction cell. In this study, iron is used as anode and graphite as cathode put at the fixed distance of 30 mm in a glass reaction cell. The cell was filled with the solution containing wastewater and sodium chloride as the supporting electrolyte. Factors of the process such as pH, current intensity, hydrogen peroxide concentration, and time of treatment were studied. The results illustrate that all these parameters affect efficiencies of dye removal and chemical oxygen demand (COD) reducing. The maximal removal of wastewater contaminants was achieved under acid (pH 3) condition, with the applied current of 1 A, and hydrogen peroxide concentration of 0.033 M. At these conditions, decolorization process efficiency reached 100 and 83 % of COD removal after 40 minutes of wastewater sample treatment. In addition, the electrical energy consumption for wastewater treatment by electrochemical peroxidation is calculated, showing increase as the current intensity of treatment process was increased. The obtained results suggest that electrochemical peroxidation process can be used for removing dye compounds and chemical oxygen demand (COD) from industrial wastewaters with high removal efficiency.

Effects of Dedifferentiated Fat Cells on Neurogenic Differentiation and Cell Proliferation in Neuroblastoma Cells

Recent reports demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can induce differentiation of neuroblastoma (NB) cells. Dedifferentiated fat cells (DFAT) and MSCs have similar properties. The present study investigated whether DFAT can induce NB cell differentiation and suppress cell proliferation. DFAT was obtained from mature adipocytes isolated from adipose tissue from a ceiling culture. NB cells were cultured in a medium with/without DFAT, and subsequently in a DFAT-conditioned medium (CM) with/without phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor. Length of neurites was measured, and the mRNA expression levels of the neurofilament (NF) and tubulin beta III (TUBβ3) were assessed using quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability was assessed by the water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1 assay. NB cells cultured with DFAT elongated the neurites and upregulated the expression of NF and Tubβ3 compared with the control. However, NB cells cultured in DFAT-CM demonstrated increased cell viability compared with the control. NB cells cultured with DFAT-CM and PI3K inhibitor suppressed cell viability and demonstrated increased neurite length and expression and upregulation of Tubβ3. Therefore, the combined use of DFAT-CM and PI3K inhibitors suppresses the proliferation of NB cells and induces their differentiation. DFAT may offer new insights into therapeutic approaches in NB.

Unraveling the histories of Proterozoic shales through in situ Rb-Sr dating and trace element laser ablation analysis

Authigenic components in marine sediments are important archives for past environment reconstructions. However, defining reliable age constraints and assessing the effects of post-depositional overprints in Precambrian sequences are challenging. We demonstrate a new laser-based analytical approach that has the potential to rapidly and accurately evaluate the depositional and alteration histories of Proterozoic shales. Our study employs a novel application of in situ Rb-Sr dating coupled with simultaneous trace-element analysis using reaction-cell laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–tandem mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS/MS). We present results from shales sourced from two wells in the Proterozoic McArthur Basin, northern Australia. These rocks have been widely used by previous studies as a key section for ancient biogeochemical and paleo-redox reconstructions. Shales from well UR5 yielded initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios, Rb-Sr ages, and rare earth element plus yttrium (REEY) patterns similar to those of a dolerite sampled from the same core. We propose that the UR5 samples chronicle hydrothermal alteration instigated by the dolerite intrusion. In contrast, a correlative shale from well UR6 yielded an age consistent with the expected depositional age (1577 ± 56 Ma) with REEY and initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios similar to ca. 1.5 Ga seawater. We suggest that this sample records the minimum depositional age and early marine diagenetic history for this unit. This new technique can date Proterozoic shales quickly, cheaply, and with minimum sample preparation. Importantly, ages are triaged to differentiate between those recording primary marine versus secondary processes. This novel approach provides a potentially powerful tool for dating and fingerprinting the vast array of ancient marine shales for further studies of Earth systems through deep time.

Silencing of lncRNA MEG8 Represses the Viability, Migration, and Invasion of Wilms’ Tumor Cells through Mediating miR-23a-3p/CRK Axis

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> Compelling evidence has unveiled the importance of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in malignant behavior of Wilms’ tumor (WT). Hereon, we intend to assess the function and associated molecular mechanism of lncRNA maternally expressed gene 8 (MEG8) in WT cells. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Expression levels of MEG8, miR-23a-3p, and CT10 regulator of kinase (CRK) were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. Besides, wound healing assay and transwell assay were applied to examine abilities of cell migration and invasion, respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to test the interplay among MEG8, miR-23a-3p, and CRK. Western blot was used to detect relative protein expression of CRK. <b><i>Results:</i></b> MEG8 and CRK expression was elevated, while miR-23a-3p expression was decreased in WT tissues and cells. The histologic type, lymphatic metastasis, and National Wilms Tumor Study (NWTS) stage were associated with the expression of MEG8, miR-23a-3p, and CRK in WT patients. MEG8 knockdown or miR-23a-3p overexpression restrained WT cells in cell viability, migration, and invasiveness in vitro. As to mechanism exploration, MEG8 could directly bind to miR-23a-3p and then miR-23a-3p targeted CRK. MEG8 was inversely correlated with miR-23a-3p and positively correlated with CRK in WT tissues. Meantime, miR-23a-3p was inversely correlated with CRK in WT tissues. Additionally, MEG8 knockdown-mediated suppressive impacts on cell viability, migration, and invasiveness were reversed by overexpression of CRK or repression of miR-23a-3p in WT cells. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The cell viability, migration, and invasiveness of WT cells were repressed by MEG8 knockdown via targeting the miR-23a-3p/CRK axis.

Phytotherapeutics Attenuation of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Lipid Peroxidation in Severe and Chronic Diseases

Lipid peroxidation is an end process of cellular injury driven by oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation through several molecular changes. Metabolism-generated reactive oxygen species avidly attack the polyunsaturated fatty acids in lipid cell membranes, initiating a self-propagating chain-reaction. Cell membrane destruction, lipids and the end-products of lipid peroxidation reactions are hostile to the viability of cells, even tissues causing and exacerbating Diabetes Mellitus (DM), neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Current treatment regimens have untoward side effects in the long-term necessitating phytochemical use as these are part of natural food sources. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense mechanisms may be over run causing lipid peroxidation to take place. In disease states, oxidative stress may increase with subsequent production of increased free radicals which may over run the antioxidant capacity of the body with resultant oxidative damage on polyunsaturated fatty acids in the cell fluid membranes with cellular and tissue damage. Phytochemicals, have been shown to ameliorate diseases through attenuation of oxidative stress, inflammation, lipid peroxidation, causing tissue regeneration by regulating signaling systems and neuroprotective processes. Involvement of polyphenolic and non-phenolic phytochemical in the attenuation of OS, inflammation and lipid peroxidation remain areas of critical importance in combating DM, CVDA, NDD and RA.

Simultaneous Quantification and Speciation of Trace Metals in Paired Serum and CSF Samples by Size Exclusion Chromatography–Inductively Coupled Plasma–Dynamic Reaction Cell–Mass Spectrometry (SEC-DRC-ICP-MS)

Background: Transition metals play a crucial role in brain metabolism: since they exist in different oxidation states they are involved in ROS generation, but they are also co-factors of enzymes in cellular energy metabolism or oxidative defense. Methods: Paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were analyzed for iron, zinc, copper and manganese as well as for speciation using SEC-ICP-DRC-MS. Brain extracts from Mn-exposed rats were additionally analyzed with SEC-ICP-DRC-MS. Results: The concentration patterns of transition metal size fractions were correlated between serum and CSF: Total element concentrations were significantly lower in CSF. Fe-ferritin was decreased in CSF whereas a LMW Fe fraction was relatively increased. The 400–600 kDa Zn fraction and the Cu-ceruloplasmin fraction were decreased in CSF, by contrast the 40–80 kDa fraction, containing Cu- and Zn-albumin, relatively increased. For manganese, the α-2-macroglobulin fraction showed significantly lower concentration in CSF, whereas the citrate Mn fraction was enriched. Results from the rat brain extracts supported the findings from human paired serum and CSF samples. Conclusions: Transition metals are strictly controlled at neural barriers (NB) of neurologic healthy patients. High molecular weight species are down-concentrated along NB, however, the Mn-citrate fraction seems to be less controlled, which may be problematic under environmental load.

Trends and Advances in Inductively Coupled Plasma Tandem Quadruple Mass Spectrometry (ICP-QMS/QMS) With Reaction Cell

Trends and advances in the development and application of inductively coupled plasma tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-QMS/QMS) with a reaction cell is reviewed mainly based on publications from January 2018 to July 2021. ICP-QMS/QMS has been applied in various research fields covering the sciences of biology, energy, environmental, food/medical, geology, materials, and radionuclide. The objectives of analysis cover the determination of elemental concentration, ion-gas reaction, isotope analysis, single particle analysis, and chemical speciation analysis. Measurement of most elements in the periodic table are reported except for H, N, O, F, rare gas, and some of the radionuclides. In addition to the default reaction/collision gases (i.e., He, H2, O2, and NH3), N2O, CO2, CH4, CH3F, C2H4, and C2H6 have been used as reaction gases to improve the capability of separating spectral interferences or to study the ion-molecule reactions. Typical applications of ICP-QMS/QMS analysis in the major research fields are also discussed.