Application of modified sepiolite as reusable adsorbent for Pd(Ⅱ) sorption from acidic solutions

The adsorption characteristics and mechanisms of modified sepiolite as an adsorbent to recover Pd(Ⅱ) from acidic solutions were studied. The Pd(Ⅱ) adsorption properties were analyzed through isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic models. In addition, SEM-EDS, TEM and XPS were applied to investigating the Pd(Ⅱ) adsorption mechanisms onto modified sepiolite. The equilibrium data were well fitted to Langmuir isotherm model with maximum Pd(Ⅱ) adsorption capacity of 322.58 mg/g at 30 ℃. The kinetic data could be satisfactorily simulated by the pseudosecond order model, indicating that the rate-controlling step was chemical adsorption. 99% of Pd(Ⅱ) could be recovered using 1 g/L modified sepiolite when initial concentration of Pd(Ⅱ) was 100 mg/L. The results of reusability studies indicated the modified sepiolite had an acceptable stability and reusability. This study indicated that the modified sepiolite might be an efficient and cost-effective material for Pd(Ⅱ) recovery.

Potential mechanism of Astragali radix-Angelicae sinensis radix in the treatment of spinal cord injury based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Objective:Using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology to explore the possible mechanism of Huangqi(Astragali radix)-Danggui(Angelicae sinensis radix)on the treatment of spinal cord injury.Methods:The active components and the targets related to Astragali radix-Angelicae sinensis radix were screened out on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database.Genes of spinal cord injury were searched by Genecards and the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man databases.The intersection targets between herbs and diseases were obtained through online Venn diagrams.A components-targets-pathways network was established on Cytoscape 3.8.1 software.The STRING database was used to construct the intersection protein interaction network and screen out core targets.Gene Ontology biological processes and enrichment analysis based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genes of intersection proteins were performed via DAVID database.Finally,the molecular docking with key components and core targets were performed in AutoDock software.Results:The 22 chemical components including quercetin,kaempferol were collected from Astragali radix-Angelicae sinensis radix.It acts on 110 targets,and interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor,mitogen-activated protein kinase,tumor antigen p53 were considered as the major targets.50 pathways like Interleukin-17 signaling pathway,tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway participate in biological processes such as positive transcription regulation and lipopolysacchanide response.The molecular docking revealed that the core targets had stronger binding activity with its corresponding active components.Conclusion:Astragali radix-Angelicae sinensis radix has the characteristics of multi-component,multi-target,and multi-pathway effects in treating spinal cord injury.Its potential mechanism may be related to preventing inflammation,improving microcirculation,inhibiting neuronal apoptosis,protecting damaged nerve cells and promoting nerve repair and regeneration.

Systematic profiling of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG epitopes at amino acid resolution

There is a worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2.1 By January 28,2021,more than 100 million cases had been diagnosed,and more than 2 million deaths had been reported(https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html).The comprehensive and in-depth elucidation of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG responses will help us to better understand COVID-19 immunity and facilitate the precise development of neutralizing antibodies and vaccines.