Extracellular vesicles are associated with C-reactive protein in sepsis

There is increasing evidence that C-reactive protein (CRP) can mediate inflammatory reactions following the transformation of functionally inert pentameric CRP (pCRP) into its structural isoform pCRP* and into monomeric CRP (mCRP). This conversion can occur on the membranes of apoptotic or activated cells or on extracellular vesicles (EVs) shed from the cell surface. Here, we characterized the association of CRP with EVs in plasma from sepsis patients using flow cytometry, and found highly elevated levels of total EV counts and CRP+ EVs as compared to healthy individuals. We further assessed the ability of PentraSorb CRP, an extracorporeal device for the adsorption of CRP, to deplete free CRP and CRP+ EVs. Treatment of septic plasma with the adsorbent in vitro resulted in almost complete removal of both, free CRP and CRP+ EVs, while total EV counts remained largely unaffected, indicating the detachment of CRP from the EV surface. EVs from septic plasma elicited a release of interleukin-8 from cultured human monocytes, which was significantly reduced by adsorbent treatment prior to EV isolation. Our findings provide evidence that CRP+ EVs exhibit pro-inflammatory characteristics and can contribute to the spreading of inflammation throughout the circulation on top of their pro-coagulant activity.

Management of Produced Water from Niger Delta Oilfield with Modified Agricultural Waste

Hydrocarbon reservoirs contain produced water as one of its constituents. Produced water most times contains toxic materials and other impurities that affect the ecosystem. Most of the available treatment techniques have not been very effective in reducing some of the contaminants to an acceptable disposal limits.Banana peels was washed with clean water, dried under the sun for three days, and oven-dried at 105±5o C for 3 hours. It was milled, sieved (150 and 300 microns,), and then treated with 0.4mol/L HNO3 , rinsed with clean water to remove any pigment that might interfere with the result. Sample (produced water) was treated in adsorption chamber for 4 hours using 150 micron size of adsorbent. Treatment was repeated with 300 micron size. Treated sample was analyzed and characterized. For the 150 micron size, the percentage reductions for the metals concentration (Pb, Ni, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Cr, Zn, Mn, Ca, Ar, B, Sn, Ba) were found to be 87.18%, 23.08%, 42.86%, 100%, 80.12%, 34.33%, 28.93%, 45.40%, 47.89%, 97.18%, 33.06%, 43.24%, 62.50%, and 44.44% respectively. Similar reductions in same metals with 300 micron size were equally obtained. The finer adsorbent was more effective. Langmuir model best described the adsorption of lead with isotherm R2 of 0.98, while Freundlich described the adsorption of nickel and iron, with isotherms R2 of 0.85 and 0.93 respectively. Produced water from Niger Delta oil field was effectively treated of contaminants using banana peels with 150 micron size produced the best result.

Removing of Hexavalent Chromium from Aqueous Solutions Using Dried Yogurt, and Studying Isotherm, Kinetic and Thermodynamic Parameters

In this study, Yogurt was dried and milled, then shaked with distilled water to remove the soluble materials, then again dried and milled. Batch experiments were carried out to remove hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions. Different parameters were optimized such as amount of adsorbent, treatment time, pH and concentration of adsorbate. The concentrations of Cr6+ in solutions are determined by UV-Visible spectrophotometer. Maximum percentage removal of Cr6+ was 82% at pH 2. Two equilibrium adsorption isotherms mechanisms are tested Langmuir and Freundlich, the results showed that the isotherm obeyed to Freundlich isotherm. Kinetic models were applied to the adsorption of Cr6+ ions on the adsorbents, pseudo-first-order, the pseudo second-order respectively. Results showed that pseudo second-order kinetic model was applicable to the experimental data well. The thermodynamic parameters such as ΔGº, ΔHº and ΔSº were calculated. ∆H°, ∆S° and ΔGº for this study were negative indicating that the process is exothermic, while negative values of ΔGº indicate spontaneous process.

Penggunaan adsorben untuk mengurangi kadar free fatty acid, peroxide value dan warna minyak goreng bekas

This research was carried out to examine the ability of calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, activated carbon and bentonite as adsorbent to decrease the FFA content, PV and dark color intensitv of used frying oil. Adsorbent treatment may improve the quality and extend the frying life of used frying oil. A mixture of used frying oil and certain adsorbent were agitated at constant temperature 150oC for 1 hour Four adsorbents were used at various concentrations. Subsequently, the oil was filtered by vacuum filtration, The changes in FFA content, PV and color intensity were observed. Calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, activated carbon and bentonite could be used as a good adsorbent to reduce the FFA content, PV and dark color intensity of the usedfryng oil. Calcium silicate was more effective than the other adsorbents in reducing the FFA content and PV of the oil. Activated carbon and magnesium silicate showed about the same ability in removing dark color components, and its ability is better than calcium silicate and bentonite. Keywords: Vegetable Oil,Adsorbents, FFA, PV, Color AbstrakPada penelitian ini dipelajari kemampuan kalsium silikat, magnesium silikat, karbon aktif dan bentonit sebagai adsorben untuk menurunkan kadar asam lemak bebas (FFA), bilangan peroksida (PV), dan warna gelap minyak goreng bekas. Pengolahan dengan adsorben ini diharapkan dapat meningkatkan kualitas minyak goreng bekas sehingga umur pemakaian minyak goreng dapat diperpanjang. Minyak goreng bekas dan adsorben diaduk pada suhu konstan I50oC selama 1 jam dengan variasi konsentrasi dan jenis adsorben. Setelah itu minyak goreng disaring dengan vakum dan diamati perubahan kadar FFA, P, V, dan warna yang terjadi. Kalsium silikat, magnesium silikat, karbon aktif dan bentonit dapat berfingsi sebagai adsorben yang baik untuk mengurangi kadar FFA, PV dan warna minyak goreng bekas. Kalsium silikat lebih efektifuntuk penurunan kadar FFA dan PV dari pada ketiga adsorben yang lain. Karbon aktif dan magnesium silikat menunjukkan kemampuan mereduksi warna gelap minyak yang relatif hampir sama, tetapi lebih baik daripada kalsium silikat dan bentonit. Kata Kunci: Minyak Goreng, Adsorben, FFA, PV, Warna

Treatment of Wastewater from a Dairy Industry Using Rice Husk as Adsorbent: Treatment Efficiency, Isotherm, Thermodynamics, and Kinetics Modelling

Effluent from milk processing unit contains soluble organics, suspended solids, and trace organics releasing gases, causing taste and odor, and imparting colour and turbidity produced as a result of high consumption of water from the manufacturing process, utilities and service section, chemicals, and residues of technological additives used in individual operations which makes it crucial matter to be treated for preserving the aesthetics of the environment. In this experimental study after determination of the initial parameters of the raw wastewater it was subjected to batch adsorption study using rice husk. The effects of contact time, initial wastewater concentration, pH, adsorbent dosage, solution temperature and the adsorption kinetics, isotherm, and thermodynamic parameters were investigated. The phenomenon of adsorption was favoured at a lower temperature and lower pH in this case. Maximum removal as high as 92.5% could be achieved using an adsorbent dosage of 5 g/L, pH of 2, and temperature of 30°C. The adsorption kinetics and the isotherm studies showed that the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir isotherm were the best choices to describe the adsorption behavior. The thermodynamic parameters suggested that not only was the adsorption by rice husk spontaneous and exothermic in nature but also the negative entropy change indicated enthalpy driven process.