Deep eutectic solvents for separation and purification applications in critical metal metallurgy:Recent advances and perspectives

Solvent extraction,a separation and purification technology,is crucial in critical metal metallurgy.Organic solvents commonly used in solvent extraction exhibit disadvantages,such as high volatility,high toxicity,and flammability,causing a spectrum of hazards to human health and environmental safety.Neoteric solvents have been recognized as potential alternatives to these harmful organic solvents.In the past two decades,several neoteric solvents have been proposed,including ionic liquids(ILs)and deep eutectic solvents(DESs).DESs have gradually become the focus of green solvents owing to several advantages,namely,low toxicity,degradability,and low cost.In this critical review,their classification,formation mechanisms,preparation methods,characterization technologies,and special physicochemical properties based on the most recent advancements in research have been systematically described.Subsequently,the major separation and purification applications of DESs in critical metal metallurgy were comprehensively summarized.Finally,future opportunities and challenges of DESs were explored in the current research area.In conclusion,this review provides valuable insights for improving our overall understanding of DESs,and it holds important potential for expanding separation and purification applications in critical metal metallurgy.

Cloning, purification and characterization of the ribosomal protein L11 from E. coli

A high-expression system of L11 was constructed and investigated its interaction with other elements of the ribosome using physicochemical methods. The gene rplK, coding for the protein L11 from the E. coli 50S ribosomal subunit was amplifyied, cloned and over-expressed. The protein L11 was purified under native and denaturing conditions, refolded and the structure of both proteins was compared. The protein L11 properly refolded from 6M urea after dialysis. Experiments on binding of proteins L11, RRF and EF-G from Escherichia coli were performed by ana-lytical centrifugation and Biacore. Specific binding between protein L11 and RRF by analytical cen-trifugation was not detected probably due to struc-tural reasons. These findings may be helpful in the design of new antibiotics that specifically disrupt the interactions in the “GTP-associated site” of the bac-terial ribosome, as many of them are not effective anymore. A common intrinsically disordered region of protein L11 was found to be the amino acid se-quence 86-97, while the residues 67-74, containing the linker region, are predicted to be disordered by DisEMBL.

Advancement in separation materials for blood purification therapy

Blood purification refers to the extra corporeal therapies of removing potentially toxic substances, in which blood is circulated through an adsorption system loading separation materials. High-efficient inexpensive separation materials are critical to success. In this review, separation materials such as polymers and nanomaterials are summarized and compared. Combining the advantages of the adsorptive membranes and nanomaterials, organic–inorganic hybrid/blend membranes have been developed explosively. These hybrid/blend membranes have both the characteristics of high permeability, easy fabrication, good biocompatibility of adsorptive membranes, and characteristics of fast adsorption rate and high adsorption capacity of nanomaterials. The preparation and modification methodology of the separation materials is reviewed. For affinity separation materials, the relationship of ligand chemistry, ligand density and pores of the matrix is discussed. This paper also summarizes some interesting applications in separation materials for removal of bilirubin, endotoxin, toxic metal ions, cytokine, etc.

Influence of continuous blood purification on inflammation and target organ damage in patients with severe acute pancreatitis complicated by MODS

Objective:To study the influence of continuous blood purification on inflammation and target organ damage in patients with severe acute pancreatitis accompanied by MODS.Methods: A total of 78 patients with severe acute pancreatitis complicated by MODS who were treated in our hospital between June 2012 and March 2016 were selected and divided into control group (n=39) and observation group (n=39) according to random number table. Control group were treated with routine treatment, observation group were treated with conventional treatment plus continuous blood purification, and serum inflammatory factors, liver function indexes and renal function indexes were compared between two groups of patients before and after treatment.Results: Before treatment, differences in serum levels of inflammatory factors, liver function indexes and renal function indexes were not statistically significant between two groups of patients. After treatment, serum inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1 and HMGB1 levels of observation group were lower than those of control group, liver function indexes ALT, AST, TBIL and ALP levels of observation group were lower than those of control group, and renal function indexes Scr and BUN levels of observation group were lower than those of control group.Conclusion: Continuous blood purification can reduce the systemic inflammatory response as well as liver and kidney injury in patients with severe acute pancreatitis complicated by MODS.

Sequential blood purification therapy for critical patients with hyperlipidemic severe acute pancreatitis

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of sequential blood purification therapy in the treatment of critical patients with hyperlipidemic severe acute pancreatitis.METHODS: Thirty-one intensive care unit(ICU) patients with hyperlipidemic severe acute pancreatitis treated at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University were divided into either a study group(n = 15; July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2014) or a control group(n = 16; July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2012) based on the implementation of sequential blood purification therapy. The control group received continuous venous-venous hemofiltration(CVVH) on the basis of conventional treatments, and the therapeutic dose of CVVH was 30 m L/kg per hour. The study group received sequential plasma exchange and CVVH on the basis of conventional treatments. The anticoagulation regimen of CVVH is the regional citrate anticoagulation. Mortality rate on day 28, rates of systemic and local complications, duration of ICU, and time to target serum lipid level, as well as physiologic and laboratory indices were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: The mortality rate on day 28 was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group(13.33% vs 37.50%; P < 0.05). The duration of ICU stay was significantly shorter in the study group than in the control group(7.4 ± 1.35 d vs 9.19 ± 2.99 d, P < 0.05). The time to target serum lipid level was significantly shorter in the study group than in the control group(3.47 ± 0.52 d vs 7.90 ± 1.14 d, P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the rates of systemic complications and local complications between the two groups(60% vs 50% and 80% vs 81%, respectively). In the comparisons of physiologic and laboratory indices, serum albumin and C-reactive protein were significantly better in the study group than in the control group after treatment(37.8 ± 4.6 g/L vs 38.9 ± 5.7 g/L, and 20.5 ± 6.4 mg/L vs 28.5 ± 7.1 mg/L, respectively, both P < 0.05). With the exception of plateletcrit, no other indices showed significant differences between the two groups.CONCLUSION: Sequential blood purification therapy is effective in the treatment of ICU patients with hyperlipidemic severe acute pancreatitis and can improve patient prognosis.

Research Progress on Purification Process, Content Determination and Pharmacological Action of Atractylodin

Atractylodis Rhizoma comes from the dry rhizome of Atractylis lancea or Atractylodes chinensis in the Compositae family,and it is suitable for preventing and treating diseases such as cold,edema,night blindness and rheumatic arthralgia.Atractylodin is the main active component extracted and isolated from Atractylodis Rhizoma.A large number of studies have found that atractylodin has excellent drug activity in improving gastrointestinal emptying,anti-inflammation,inhibiting malignant tumor and reducing blood lipid.In this paper,the purification process and pharmacological activity of Atractylodin were summarized to provide a theoretical basis for basic research,clinical application and further development and utilization of atractylodin.

Expression,purification and immunocharacteristics of recombination UreB protein of H.pylori

INTRODUCTIONHelicobacter pylori (H . pylori) is associated with the development of chronic gastritis ,peptic ulcer and gastric cancer and gastric MALT lymphoma[1-9],H .pylori has many antigens ,including urease ,heat shock protein and vacuolating cytotoxin and so on ,and urease is an important factor in the colinization of the gastric mucosa and suspected to cause damage to the gastric mucosa[10-14].At the same time ,urdase is also one of the important protective antigens .

Purification and Characterization of Alkaline Xylanase Secreted from <i>Paenibacillus macquariensis</i>

An alkaline xylanase secreted by Paenibacillus macquariensis RC 1819 has been purified using ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion exchange chromatography using DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration chromatography over Sephadex G-200 and Sephadex G-100. The purified enzyme had the specific activity, 25.2 units/mg protein with birchwood xylan as a substrate. The purified enzyme showed a single protein band over sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The molecular weight of the enzyme has been found to be 31,000 ± 2000 as determined by using Sephadex G-200 gel filtration chromatography. The subunit molecular weight has also been found to be ~31,000 as determined using SDS-PAGE indicating monomeric enzyme. The enzyme showed optimum activity at pH 8.6 and temperature, 50°C. The Michaelis constant (Km) of the enzyme for birchwood xylan was 2.2 mg/ml as determined using velocity saturation plot. The metal ions viz. Co+2 and Mn+2 stimulated xylanase enzyme activity whereas Hg+2 inhibited the enzyme activity.

Shock index of patients with sepsis after continuous blood purification treatment and its relationship with systemic inflammatory response syndrome and immune response

Objective:To study the shock index of patients with sepsis after continuous blood purification (CBP) treatment and its relationship with systemic inflammatory response syndrome and immune response.Methods:A total of 88 patients with sepsis who underwent continuous blood purification treatment in our hospital between June 2012 and May 2016 were chosen as research subjects, shock index (SI) was compared before and after the treatment, and according to the level of SI after treatment, all patients were divided into shock group (n=27) with SI>0.5 points and no shock group (n=61) with SI≤0.5 points. Serum contents of inflammatory mediators, Th1/Th2 cellular immunity indexes, immunoglobulin and complement were compared between two groups of patients after treatment.Results: The level of SI in patients with sepsis was significantly lower than that before treatment. Serum contents of inflammatory mediators PCT, CRP and HMGB1 in no shock group were lower than those in shock group, contents of Th1 cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ were higher than those in shock group, contents of Th2 cytokines IL-10 and IL-13 were lower than those in shock group, and contents of IgG, IgM, IgA, C3 and C4 were higher than those in shock group.Conclusion: The level of SI decreases in the patients with sepsis after CBP treatment, and SI level is directly correlated with the systemic inflammatory response syndrome and immune response levels.

Applications of high-gravity technologies in gas purifications: A review

The traditional gas purification techniques such as wet gas desulfurization, with their advantages of large-scale implementation and maturity, have still been widely used. However, the main drawback of these techniques is the low transfer efficiency, which normally needs towers as tall as tens of meters to remove the pollutants. Therefore, new technologies which could enhance the mass transfer efficiency and are less energy-intensive are highly desirable. As a process intensification technology, high-gravity technology, which is carried out in a rotating packed bed(RPB), has recently demonstrated great potential for industrial applications due to its high mass transfer efficiency, energy-saving, and smaller volume. This consequently provides higher efficiency in toxic gas removal, and can significantly reduce the investment and operation costs. In this review, the mechanism,characteristics, recent developments, and the industry applications of high-gravity technologies in gas purifications, such as hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and nanoparticle removal are discussed, most of the demonstration projects and practical application examples in gas purification come from China. The perspective and prospective of this technology in gas purification and other fields are also briefly discussed.

Purification of heat shock protein 70-associated tumor peptides and their antitumor immunity to hepatoma in mice

AIM:To purify the heat shock protein (HSP) 70-associated tumor peptides and to observe its non-MHC-I molecule restrictive antitumor effect.METHODS:By ConA-sepharose affinity chromatography,ADP-agarose affinity chromatography, and DEAE anion exchange chromatography, we were able to purify HSP70-associated peptides from mouse hepatoma (HCaF) cells treated in heat shock at 42℃. Specific active immunization and adoptive cellular immunization assay were adopted to observe the immunoprotective effect elicited by HSP70-associated peptide complexes isolated from HcaF.RESULTS: The finally purified HSP-associated peptides had a very high purity and specificity found by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Mice immunized with HSP70-associated peptide complexes purified from HCaF cells were protected from HCaF living cell challenge. This effect was dose dependent.Adoptive immunization of immune spleen cells of mice immunized with HSP70-associated peptide complexes could elicit immunity against HCaF challenge, and the tumor-free mice could resist repeated challenges. This effect could be continuously enhanced by repeated challenge with HCaF living cells. The tumor-free mice could tolerate the challenge for as high as 1×10^7 HCaF cells. The mice immunized once with spleen cells pulsed with HSP70-associated peptide complexes in vitro could also result in a certain adoptive immunity against HCaF.CONCLUSION:High purity and specificity of HSP70-associated peptides could be achieved from tumor cells by the low-pressure affinity chromatography method used in this study. HSP70-associated peptide complexes derived from the HCaF can elicit non-MHC-I molecule restrictive immunoprotective effect against HCaF.This effect can be transferred by adoptive immunization to mice and enhanced by repeated challenge with HCaF live cells.

Synthesis of Geopolymers Using Local Resources for Construction and Water Purification

Large deposits of impure kaolins exist in Jordan and many parts of the world;geoplymers can reduce environmental impacts and have multi-application in many fields, such as water purification, waste treatment, fire proof construction, etc. The aim of this research is to investigate the use of alkali activated zeolitic tuff and low purity metakaolin as precursors for the production of functional geoplymers exhibiting proper mechanical properties and high potential for water storage and decontamination of polluted solutions. The results confirmed that this type of geopolymers showed superior mechanical characteristics and higher adsorption capacity towards heavy metals such as Cu(II) ions, which was similar to natural zeolite. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that phillipsite, a major zeolite mineral, disappeared upon geopolymerization, while scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that geopolymers exhibit a porous matrix of nano-particles. The geopolymers have also displayed high compressive strength and tensile bending strength of about 7.8 MPa and 45 MPa respectively, compared to reference geopolymers. This functional-geopolymers indicate that they are efficient, cost effective and have a potential for number of applications including construction, water storage and wastewater treatment.

Isolation, purification and characterization of an N-acetyl-D-lactosamine binding mitogenic and anti-proliferative lectin from tubers of a cobra lily Arisaema utile Schott

Lectins are the carbohydrate-binding proteins of non-immune origin which have been the subject of intense investigation over the last few decades owing to the variety of interesting biological properties. Most of the lectins which have been purified and characterized from plants have been obtained from dicotyledons. In the present study a lectin was purified from tubers of a monocot plant Arisaema utile (AUL) Schott by affinity chromatography on asialofetuin-linked amino activated silica beads. AUL gave a single band in SDS-PAGE at pH 8.3 corresponding to subunit Mr 13.5 kDa. The native molecular mass of AUL was 54 kDa suggesting a homotetrameric structure. AUL gave multiple bands in isoelectric focusing and in native PAGE at pH 8.3. AUL was inhibited by N-acetyl-D-lactosamine (Lac NAc), a disaccharide and asialofetuin, a complex desialylated serum glycoprotein. When treated with denaturing agents, the lectin was stable in the presence of urea (3 M), thiourea (4 M) and guanidine HCl (4 M). AUL was a glycoprotein with a carbohydrate content of 1.2%. Complete loss of activity was observed upon modification of tryptophan residues of the lectin. The activity was reduced to 25% after modification of tyrosine. Chemical modification of arginine, histidine, serine and cysteine residues of AUL did not affect its activity. Using Far UV CD spectra the estimated secondary structure was 37% α-helix, 25% β-sheet and 38% random contributions. The lectin showed potent mitogenic response towards human lymphocytes. In vitro anti-proliferative assay using 11 human cancer cell lines resulted in 50% inhibition of six cell lines viz. SW-620, HCT-15, SK-N-SH, IMR-32, Colo-205 and HT-29 at 38, 42, 43, 49, 50 and 89 &amp;#181;g/ml, respectively.

Isolation, Partial Purification and Characterization of Texas Live Oak (<i>Quercus fusiformis</i>) Lectin

Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins with agglutination properties. There is a continuous interest in lectins due to their biological properties that can be exploited for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize lectin activity in Texas Live Oak (Quercus fusiformis). More specifically, the study aimed to determine the lectin’s blood group specificity and pH stability, determine effects of seasonal variation, soil moisture and soil pH on lectin activity. The study also aimed to determine the presence of antifungal activity in Q. fusiformis extracts. Lectin activity was detected and compared via agglutination and protein assays. Protein partial purification was accomplished using diethylaminoethyl ion-exchange chromatography matrix. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to assess purity of the lectin. Results showed that Q. fusiformis extracts’ lectin activities are stable at a pH range of 5.2 - 9.2 but with a significant decrease in activity above pH 9.2. The lectin activity was significantly higher when assayed against sheep red blood cells as compared to other blood groups tested. Quercus fusiformis extract is devoid of antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus stolonifer. The effects of seasonal variation, soil moisture and soil pH do not significantly correlate with lectin activity. Results from HPLC showed presence of three peaks indicating a partial purification of the Q. fusiformis lectin.

Purification, Immobilization and Characterization of Lipase Isoenzyme from <i>Aspergillus niger</i>with C8 Magnetic Particles

The purification of a lipase isoenzyme from an Aspergillus niger lipase A is reported in this manuscript. Purification was carried out in a simple adsorption step, in which the lipase was offered at low ionic strength to the commercially available C8 modified magnetic particles, MaKProt C8. When the isoenzyme was desorbed with a 0.2% solution of Triton X-100, the SDS-PAGE gel showed a single pure band with a molecular weight of 35 KDa. The purified fraction showed 66.75-fold purification compared with the crude extract. The pure fraction was characterized along with the crude extract and the lipase adsorbed on the MaKProt C8. The purified and the adsorbed lipase showed better activity for the tested substrates (p-nitrophenyl acetate, decanoate, myristate and palmitate) than the crude extract, the preferred substrates being myristate (26.7 μmol·min-1·mg-1) and decanoate (17.4 μmol·min-1·mg-1), respectively. The temperature and pH profiles showed no change for the three enzymes, the optimum temperature being 37°C and the best pH 7.0.

Soil-Based Biofiltration for Air Purification:Potentials for Environmental and Space LifeSupport Application

Soil biofiltration, also known as soil bed reactor (SBR), technology was originally developed in Germany to take advantage of the diversity in microbial mechanisms to control gases producing malodor in industrial processes. The approach has since gained wider international acceptance and continues to see improvements to maximize microbial and process efficiency and extend the range of problematical gases for which the technology can be an effective control. We review the basic mechanisms which underlay microbial soil processes involved in air purification, advantages and limitations of the technology and the current research status of the approach. Soil biofiltration has lower capital and operating/energetic costs than conventional technologies and is well adapted to handle contaminants in moderate concentrations. The systems can be engineered to optimize efficiency though manipulation of temperature, pH, moisture content, soil organic matter and airflow rates. Soil air biofiltration technology was modified for application in the Biosphere 2 project, which demonstrated in preparatory research with a number of closed system testbeds that soil could also support crop plants while also serving as soil filters with airpumps to push air through the soil. This Biosphere 2 research demonstrated in several closed system testbeds that a number of important trace gases could be kept under control and led to the engineering of the entire agricultural soil of Biosphere 2 to serve as a soil filtration unit for the facility. Soil biofiltration, coupled with food crop production, as a component of bioregenerative space life support systems has the advantages of lower energy use and avoidance of the consumables required for other air purification approaches. Expanding use of soil biofiltration can aid a number of environmental applications, from the mitigation of indoor air pollution, as a method of reducing global warming impact of methane (biogas), improvement of industrial air emissions and prevention of accidental release of toxic gases.

Superwetting Ag/α-Fe_(2)O_(3) anchored mesh with enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial activities for efficient water purification

Superwetting materials have drawn unprecedented attention in the treatment of oily wastewater due to their preferable anti-fouling property and selective oil/water separation.However,it is still a challenge to fabricate multifunctional and environmentally friendly materials,which can be stably applied to purify the actual complicated wastewater.Here,a Ag/Ag/α-Fe_(2)O_(3) heterostructure anchored copper mesh was intentionally synthesized using a facile two-step hydrothermal method.The resultant mesh with superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity was capable of separating various oil/water mixtures with superior separation efficiency and high permeationflux driven by gravity.Benefiting from the joint effects of the smaller band gap of Ag/α-Fe_(2)O_(3) heterojunction,inherent antibacterial capacity of Ag/α-Fe_(2)O_(3) and Ag nanoparticles,favorable conductive substrate,as well as the hierarchical structure with superwettability,such mesh presented remarkably enhanced degradation capability toward organic dyes under visible light irradiation and antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli(E.coli)and Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus)compared with the pure Ag/α-Fe_(2)O_(3) coated mesh.Impressively,the mesh exhibited bifunctional water purification performance,in which organic dyes were eliminated simultaneously from water during oil/water separation in onefiltration process.More importantly,this mesh behaved exceptional chemical resistance,mechanical stability and long-term reusability.Therefore,this material with multifunctional integration may hold promising potential for steady water purification in practice.

Expression and purification of recombinant lyase gp17 from the LSB-1 phage in Escherichia coli

Dear Editor,In recent years,owing to the fact that antibiotic-resistant bacteria have become more and more prevalent,there has been a resurgence of interest in the use of bacteriophages.However,bacteriophage therapy remains an underutilized option in modern medicine due to technical hurdles such as limited host range,narrow spectrum of bacteria

LARGE SCALE PURIFICATION OF PHOSPHOGLYCERATE KINASE（PGK） AND GLYCERALDEHYDE 3－PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE（GAPDH） FROMYELLOW PEAS BY PEG／REPPAL PES AQUEOUS TWO PHASE SYSTEM AND ION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY

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Extraction and purification of TGFβ and its effect on the induction of apoptosis of hepatocytes

AIM To extract and purify the transforming growth factor β (TGF β), and to demonstrate its biological activity in vivo and induction of apoptosis of hepatocytes in vitro.METHODS TGF β was isolated from fresh bovine platelets by acid/ethanol extraction method and purified with ion exchange and gel chromatography. The extracted TGF β was injected subcutaneously to mice, and its biological activity in vivo was observed 72 hfs post-injection by HE staining. The morphological changes were observed by HE staining and the occurrence of apoptosis was detected by TUNEL method after the human normal hepatic cell line QZG was treated with 8 μg@L 1 TGFβ for 12 hrs in vitro.RESULTS The molecular mass 25 ku TGF β protein was successfully extracted. It was able to induce localized granulation tissue formation in vivo. TGF β-treated hepatocytes showed obvious apoptotic morphological changes, including the pyknosis and dense-stained nuclei and cytoplasm, the fragmentary, annular or crescent nuclei, and the "bubbling" cytoplasm. Moreover, its apoptotic rate was significantly higher than that of the control group (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION Biological active TGF β protein is extracted and purified successfully from bovine platelets, and it is able to induce the apoptosis of hepatocytes.