Effect of Spatial Distribution of nZVI on the Corrosion of nZVI Composites and Its Subsequent Cr(VI) Removal from Water

There have been many studies on contaminant removal by fresh and aged nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI), but the effect of spatial distribution of nZVI on the corrosion behavior of the composite materials and its subsequent Cr(VI) removal remains unclear. In this study, four types of D201-nZVI composites with different nZVI distributions (named D1, D2, D3, and D4) were fabricated and pre-corroded in varying coexisting solutions. Their effectiveness in the removal of Cr(VI) were systematically investigated. The results showed acidic or alkaline conditions, and all coexisting ions studied except for H2PO4− and SiO32− enhanced the corrosion of nZVI. Additionally, the Cr(VI) removal efficiency was observed to decrease with increasing nZVI distribution uniformity. The corrosion products derived from nZVI, including magnetite, hematite, lepidocrcite, and goethite, were identified by XRD. The XPS results suggested that the Cr(VI) and Cr(III) species coexisted and the Cr(III) species gradually increased on the surface of the pre-corroded D201-nZVI with increasing iron distribution uniformity, proving Cr(VI) removal via a comprehensive process including adsorption/coprecipitation and reduction. The results will help to guide the selection for nZVI nanocomposites aged under different conditions for environmental decontamination

Solubilization and protection of curcumin based on lysozyme/albumin nano-complex

Curcumin (Cur) has the function of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and other pharmacological effects. To further improve its solubility and stability, egg albumin/lysozyme (Alb/Ly) nano-complex was investigated for the first time to encapsulate and protect Cur. The interaction and morphology were studied by dynamic light scattering technique, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Fourier infrared spectrometer (FT-IR). The protective behavior of Cur induced by thermal environment was further explored. The results showed that the spherical Alb/Ly nano-complexes (118 nm-204 nm) spontaneously formed by one spot incubating via self-assembly. The encapsulation efficiency (EE) and loading capacity (LC) for the AL31 complex were 91.5±4.7% and 9.2±0.5 μg ml-1 as the initial Cur was 10 μg ml-1. The stability of curcumin loaded in AL21 nano-complex was improved 15% and 19% as disposed with 80oC treatment for 1min and 60oC treatment for 30 min. DPPH measurement further verified the protective behavior as encapsulated. The worth-while endeavor elucidated Alb/Ly complex was feasible to solubilize and protect Cur and has extensive potential in food with various purposes

Prevention of Immune Nephritis by the Small Molecular Weight Immunomodulator Iguratimod in MRL/lpr Mice

<div><p>Objective</p><p>This study was performed to investigate the therapeutic effects of iguratimod in a lupus mouse model.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Female MRL/lpr mice were treated with iguratimod, vehicle solution or cyclophosphamide. Proteinuria was monitored and kidney injury was blindly scored by a renal pathologist. Serum anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies were monitored by radioimmunoassay. Kidney IgG and CD20 were stained by immunohistochemistry. Splenic lymphocyte phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry. BAFF, IL-17A, IL-6, and IL-21 levels in serum and splenic lymphocytes were detected by ELISA or quantitative PCR.</p><p>Results</p><p>Compared with the vehicle-treated controls, MRL/lpr mice treated with iguratimod showed less protenuria, less acute pathological lesions and no chronic changes in the kidneys. There were significant differences in glomerular injury and vasculitis scores, as well as in the semi-quantitave analysis of immune complex deposition between the two groups. Disease activity markers in sera (anti-dsDNA antibodies and immunoglobulin levels) were reduced and hypocomplementemia was attenuated. Lymphocyte expression of BAFF, IL-6, IL-17A and IL-21 was decreased. The abnormal splenic B220+ T cell and plasma cell populations in MRL/lpr mice were reduced by iguratimod treatment, with recovery of the total B cell population and inhibition of B cell infiltration of the kidney tissue. The dosage of iguratimod used in this study showed no significant cytotoxic effects <i>in vivo</i> and no overt side-effects were observed.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Iguratimod ameliorates immune nephritis in MRL/lpr mice via a non-antiproliferative mechanism. Our data suggest a potential therapeutic role of iguratimod in lupus.</p></div

Core-Shell Structured SiO₂@NiFe LDH Composite for Broadband Electromagnetic Wave Absorption

In this work, a novel core-shell structure material, NiFe layered double hydroxide (NiFe LDH) loaded on SiO2 microspheres (SiO2@NiFe LDH), was synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method, and the spontaneous electrostatic self-assembly process. The morphology, structure, and microwave absorption properties of SiO2@NiFe LDH nanocomposites with different NiFe element ratios were systematically investigated. The results show that the sample of SiO2@NiFe LDH-3 nanocomposite has excellent microwave absorption properties. It exhibits broadband effective absorption bandwidth (RL 2@NiFe-LDH core-shell structural material can be used as a promising non-precious, metal-based material microwave absorber to eliminate electromagnetic wave contamination

Iguratimod attenuated proteinuria and kidney injury in MRL/lpr mice.

<p>(A) Protein concentrations of 24 h-urine from iguratimod treated and control mice. Each dot represents mean ±SEM at the time point. (B) Representative H&E-stained kidney sections from 28 weeks old mice treated with iguratimod or vehicle solution. Control mice develop crescents (arrow), glomerular sclerosis (asterisk), lymphocyte infiltrations and casts in kidneys. Fields are at 200× magnification. (C) Glomerular injury and vasculitis were scored by a renal pathologist blindly. Each dot represents average score of an individual mouse. The horizontal lines represent media. (D) Representative kidney sections stained with IgG after 20-week treatment of iguratimod or vehicle solution. The fields are at 400× magnification. (E) Semiquantitative IOD values of all samples are analyzed (right). Each dot represents mean IOD value of an individual mouse. The horizontal lines represent media. Statistics are calculated by non-paired student's t test (A) or Mann-Whitney U test (C and E). * <i>p</i><0.05, *** <i>p</i><0.001.</p

Iguratimod affected lymphocyte subsets.

<p>(A) Gating strategy for B220+T cell and total B cell after 8-week treatment. Hexagon gates denote B cell and rectangle gates denote abnormal B220+T cell. (B) Iguratimod and Cyc both recover B cell population in spleen significantly. Data are represented as mean ±SEM. (C) Iguratimod decreases abnormal B220+T cell population of MRL/lpr mice. Data are represented as mean ±SEM. (D) Iguratimod decreases plasma cell population (CD138+) in spleen. Data are represented as mean ±SEM. (E) Representative kidney sections stained with CD20 after 20-week treatment of iguratimod or vehicle solution. B cell infiltrates in glomerulus and interstitial of kidneys from control mice. (F) Semiquantitative IOD values of all samples are analyzed. Each dot represents mean IOD value of an individual mouse. The horizontal lines represent media. Statistics are calculated by non-paired student's t test (B, C and D) or Mann-Whitney U test (F). * <i>p</i><0.05, *** <i>p</i><0.001.</p