Synthesis of novel biocomposite powder for simultaneous removal of hazardous ciprofloxacin and methylene blue: Central composite design, kinetic and isotherm studies using Brouers-Sotolongo family models

Over the past decades, extensive efforts have been made to use biomass-based-materials for wastewater-treatment. The first purpose of this study was to develop and characterize regenerated-reed/reed-charcoal (RR-ChR), an enhanced biosorbent from Tunisian-reed (Phragmites-australis). The second aim was to assess and optimize the RR-ChR use for the removal of binary ciprofloxacin antibiotic (CIP) and methylene blue dye (MB), using Central Composite Design under Response Surface methodology. The third purpose was to explain the mechanisms involved in the biosorption-process. The study revealed that the highest removal-percentages (76.66 % for the CIP and 100 % for the MB) were obtained under optimum conditions: 1.55 g/L of adsorbent, 35 mg/L of CIP, 75 mg/L of MB, a pH of 10.42 and 115.28 min contact time. It showed that the CIP biosorption mechanism was described by Brouers–Sotolongo-fractal model, with regression-coefficient (R2) of 0.9994 and a Person’s Chi-square (X2) of 0.01. The Hill kinetic model better described the MB biosorption (R2 = 1 and X2 = 1.0E-4). The isotherm studies showed that the adsorbent surface was heterogeneous and the best nonlinear-fit was obtained with the Jovanovich (R2 = 0.9711), and Brouers–Sotolongo (R2 = 0.9723) models, for the CIP and MB adsorption, respectively. Finally, the RR-ChR lignocellulosic-biocomposite-powder could be adopted as efficient and cost-effective adsorbent

Control of Spatial Organization of Gold Nanoparticles Using Cylindrical Nanopores of Block Copolymers Films

Abstract In this paper, a sequential process of elaboration of hybrid nanostructured composite films has been proposed. The combination of phase separation in poly(styrene-block-4vinylpyridine) (PS-P4VP) block copolymer leading to the formation of nanopores, and gold nanocolloids synthesis confined in the nanoholes has allowed the facile fabrication of hexagonally arranged gold nanoparticles (NPs) onto silicon wafer. In particular, the nucleation and growth of gold nanoparticles took place within the nanopores, where they are confined in both size and shape the formed Au NPs. The resulting hybrid nanoscomposite has been characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and X-Ray Spectroscopy (XPS). This facile and simple process represents an opened pathway to several technologically important materials fabrication such as hierarchical and ordered crystal architectures. Indeed, the approach based on solvent phase, which is particularly attractive due to its low energy requirement, and the safety and environmentally gentle processing conditions

Squalenoyl Adenosine Nanoparticles Provide Neuroprotection After Stroke And Spinal Cord Injury

There is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of severe neurological trauma, such as stroke and spinal cord injuries. However, many drugs with potential neuropharmacological activity, like adenosine, are inefficient upon systemic administration because of their fast metabolisation and rapid clearance from the bloodstream. Here, we show that the conjugation of adenosine to the lipid squalene and the subsequent formation of nanoassemblies allow a prolonged circulation of this nucleoside, to provide neuroprotection in mouse stroke and rat spinal cord injury models. The animals receiving systemic administration of squalenoyl adenosine nanoassemblies showed a significant improvement of their neurologic deficit score in the case of cerebral ischaemia, and an early motor recovery of the hindlimbs in the case of spinal cord injury. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that the nanoassemblies were able to extend adenosine circulation and its interaction with the neurovascular unit. This paper shows, for the first time, that a hydrophilic and rapidly metabolised molecule like adenosine may become pharmacologically efficient owing to a single conjugation with the lipid squalene.PubMedWo

Effects of pesticides on soil enzymes: a review

The use of pesticides in agriculture has highly increased during the last 40 years to increase crop yields. However, today most pesticides are polluting water, soil, atmosphere and food. Pesticides are also impact soil enzymes, which are essential catalysts ruling the quality of soil life. In particular, the activity of soil enzymes control nutrient cycles, and, in turn, fertilization. Here, we review the effects of pesticides on the activity of soil enzymes in terrestrial ecosystems. Enzymes include dehydrogenase, fluorescein diacetate hydrolase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, phosphatase, beta-glucosidase, cellulase, urease and aryl-sulfatase. Those enzymes are involved in the cycles of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus. The main points of our analysis are (1) the common inhibition of dehydrogenase in 61 % of studies, stimulation of cellulase in 56 % of studies and no response of aryl-sulfatase in 67 % of studies. (2) Fungicides have mainly negative effects on enzymatic activities. (3) Insecticides can be classified into two groups, the first group represented by endosulfan having an overall positive impact while the second group having a negative effect. (4) Herbicides can be classified into two groups, one group with few positive effect and another group with negative effect