Oriented immobilized anti-LDL antibody carrying poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) cryogel for cholesterol removal from human plasma

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is a major ingredient of the plaque that collects in the coronary arteries and causes coronary heart diseases. Among the methods used for the extracorporeal elimination of LDL from intravasal volume, immunoaffinity technique using anti-LDL antibody as a ligand offers superior selectivity and specificity. Proper orientation of the immobilized antibody is the main issue in immunoaffinity techniques. In this study, anti-human β-lipoprotein antibody (anti-LDL antibody) molecules were immobilized and oriented through protein A onto poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) cryogel in order to remove LDL from hypercholesterolemic human plasma. PHEMA cryogel was prepared by free radical polymerization initiated with N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylene diamine (TEMED). PHEMA cryogel with a swelling degree of 8.89 g H₂O/g and 67% macro-porosity was characterized by swelling studies, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and blood compatibility tests. All the clotting times were increased when compared with control plasma. The maximum immobilized anti-LDL antibody amount was 63.2 mg/g in the case of random antibody immobilization and 19.6 mg/g in the case of oriented antibody immobilization (protein A loading was 57.0 mg/g). Random and oriented anti-LDL antibody immobilized PHEMA cryogels adsorbed 111 and 129 mg LDL/g cryogel from hypercholesterolemic human plasma, respectively. Up to 80% of the adsorbed LDL was desorbed. The adsorption–desorption cycle was repeated 6 times using the same cryogel. There was no significant loss of LDL adsorption capacity.     

Glutamic acid containing supermacroporous poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) cryogel disks for UO22+ removal

Supermacroporous cryogel with an average pore size of 10–200 μm in diameter was prepared by cryopolymerization of N-methacryloyl-(l)-glutamic acid (MAGA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The poly(HEMA–MAGA) cryogel was characterized by surface area measurements, FTIR, swelling studies, elemental analysis and SEM. The poly(HEMA–MAGA) cryogel had a specific surface area of 23.2 m²/g. The equilibrium swelling ratio of the cryogel is 9.68 g H₂O/g for poly(HEMA–MAGA) and 8.56 g H₂O/g cryogel for PHEMA. The poly(HEMA–MAGA) cryogel disks with a pore volume of 71.6% containing 878 μmol MAGA/g were used in the removal of UO₂²⁺ from aqueous solutions. Adsorption equilibrium of UO₂²⁺ was obtained in about 30 min. The adsorption of UO₂²⁺ ions onto the PHEMA cryogel disks was negligible (0.78 mg/g). The MAGA incorporation significantly increased the UO₂²⁺ adsorption capacity (92.5 mg/g). The adsorption process is found to be a function of pH of the UO₂²⁺ solution, with the optimum value being pH 6.0. Adsorption capacity of MAGA contained PHEMA based cryogel disks increased significantly with pH and then reached the maximum at pH 6.0. Consecutive adsorption and elution cycles showed the feasibility of repeated use for poly(HEMA–MAGA) cryogel disks.     

Recyclable heparin and chitosan conjugated magnetic nanocomposites for selective removal of low-density lipoprotein from plasma

A new fabrication protocol is described to obtain heparin and chitosan conjugated magnetic nanocomposite as a blood purification material for removal of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from blood plasma. The adsorbent could be easily separated with an external magnet for recyclable use since it had a magnetic core. The LDL level of plasma decreased by 67.3 % after hemoperfusion for 2 h. Moreover, the adsorbent could be recycled simply washing with NaCl solution. After eight cycles, the removal efficiency of the adsorbent was still above 50 %. The recyclable magnetic adsorbent had good blood compatibility due to the conjugation of heparin to the chitosan-coated magnetic nanocomposites. The fabricated magnetic adsorbent could be applied for LDL apheresis without side effects.     

Characterization of PVA cryogel for intravascular ultrasound elasticity imaging

The present study characterizes the mechanical properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) cryogel in order to show its utility for intravascular elastography. PVA cryogel becomes harder with an increasing number of freeze-thaw cycles, and Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio are measured for seven samples. Mechanical tests were performed on cylindrical samples with a pressure column and on a hollow cylinder with the calculation of an intravascular elastogram. An image of the Young's modulus was obtained from the elastogram using cylinder geometry properties. Results show the mechanical similitude of PVA cryogel with the biological tissues present in arteries. A good agreement between Young's modulus obtained from pressure column and from elastogram was also observed.     

Microwave plasma removal of sulphur hexafluoride

Sulphur hexafluoride (SF(6)) gas is a common pollutant emitted during the plasma etching of thin films and plasma cleaning chemical vapor deposition (CVD) production processes used in the semiconductor industry. In this paper a method using microwave (2.45GHz frequency) plasmas sustained at atmospheric pressure for the abatement of SF(6) is investigated experimentally for various gas mixture constituents and operating conditions, with respect to its ability to decompose SF(6) to less harmful molecules. The destruction and removal efficiencies (DRE) of plasma abatement of SF(6) at concentrations between 1.7 and 5% in nitrogen in the presence of water vapor were studied as a function of the total gas flow rate and microwave power. Water vapor proved to be an effective source of free radical species that reacts with the radicals and ions resulting from SF(6) fragmentation in the plasma and also, it proved to reduce the process by-products. It was measured that approximately 25% of the initial SF(6) is converted to SO(2). Destruction and removal efficiencies of SF(6) up to 99.9% have been achieved.     

Iron removal from human plasma based on molecular recognition using imprinted beads

The aim of this study is to prepare ion-imprinted polymers which can be used for the selective removal of Fe³⁺ ions from Fe³⁺-overdosed human plasma. N-Methacryloly-(l)-glutamic acid (MAGA) was chosen as the complexing monomer. In the first step, Fe³⁺ was complexed with MAGA and the Fe³⁺-imprinted poly(HEMA–MAGA) beads were synthesized by suspension polymerization. After that, the template (i.e., Fe³⁺ ions) was removed using 0.1 M EDTA solution. The specific surface area of the Fe³⁺-imprinted poly(HEMA–MAGA) beads was found to be 76.4 m²/g with a size range of 63–140 μm in diameter and the swelling ratio was 75%. According to the elemental analysis results, the beads contained 84.7 μmol MAGA/g polymer. The maximum adsorption capacity was 92.6 μmol Fe³⁺/g beads. The relative selectivity coefficients of imprinted beads for Fe³⁺/Zn²⁺ and Fe³⁺/Cr³⁺ were 17.3 and 48.6 times greater than non-imprinted matrix, respectively. The Fe³⁺-imprinted poly(HEMA–MAGA) beads could be used many times without decreasing their adsorption capacities significantly.     

丝氨酸配基PVDF亲和膜脱除人血浆中内毒素的研究

以L-丝氨酸(Ser)为配基,1,6-己二胺为间隔臂,制备了一种新型PVDF中空纤维亲和膜用于人血浆中内毒素的脱除.通过FTIR、XPS对PVDF中空纤维膜,亲水化改性膜以及亲和膜的结构进行了表征;探讨了离子强度、pH值对亲和膜吸附内毒素能力的影响以及内毒素分子在亲和膜上的吸附动力学.实验考察了自制的亲和膜组件用于人血浆中内毒素的脱除效果.结果表明,亲和膜对内毒素的吸附能力为0.058 EU/cm2;自制的亲和膜组件对内毒素含量为0.42 EU/mL的人血浆样品清除率为43.8%;亲和膜对人血浆样品的其它生化指标的影响不大.     

Models for organics removal from vinasse from ethanol production

Global ethanol production generates almost 100 billion liters per year of a high-strength liquid waste called vinasse. One sustainable method of treating vinasse using environmental biotechnology is anaerobic digestion, which generates biogas that can be used as a renewable energy resource. Although a number of models have been developed for predicting biogas generation rates, no previous study has modeled liquid organic removal rates for vinasse treatment. The goal of this research was thus to develop models for predicting liquid-phase organic removal rates for anaerobic treatment of vinasse. 6-L laboratory-scale batch reactors were filled with vinasse of six different compositions and operated at three different mesophilic temperatures (30, 35, 40 °C). Biochemical and chemical oxygen demand (BOD and COD) were measured over time using Standard Methods 5210B and 5220C. Based on data collected, multiple linear regression equations (R² = 0.79 and 0.94) were developed to predict first-order rate constants k_BOD and k_COD as functions of temperature and vinasse composition (initial values of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous, and sulfur). The first-order models developed require a small number of readily available input parameters. They apply to treatment of vinasse from ethanol produced from corn and milo; future work can test their applicability to ethanol produced from other feedstocks. The models can be used for sizing/design of reactors for anaerobic treatment of vinasse.     

Adsorption of human antibodies to factor VIII:C to insoluble modified polystyrene from plasma

Human procoagulant factor VIII (FVIII:C), is a protein that participates in the cascade of blood coagulation. It is absent or defective in haemophiliac A patients. Furthermore, about 5%–10% of severely affected patients who have received FVIII concentrate as treatment, are developing antibodies which neutralize FVIII:C. Some functional polymers with suitable chemical substituents fixed on to their macromolecular chain might be used in extracorporeal circulation to reduce the concentration of these antibodies. For this purpose, insoluble polystyrenes bearing sulphonate and various amino acid sulphamide groups have been synthesized. The affinity constants for the anti VIII:C and the IgG were determined in purified solution,K _{anti VIII:C}=10⁸–10⁹ l mol^–1 andK _IgG=10⁵ l mol^–1. Thein vitro removal of the anti VIII:C from haemophiliac patient plasma with a high level of antibodies, was tested on various polystyrene-derivative resins. This has led to the selection of active polymers, such as polystyrene substituted by glutamic dimethyl ester acid and/or by hydroxyproline.     

等离子体预处理制备抗菌-特殊润湿性除油型棉织物

为实现特殊润湿性材料的规模化生产,构筑长效、耐久、稳定的特殊浸润性油水分离产品,以棉织物网膜为基材,对其进行了等离子体预处理与超疏水性界面构建的研究。即将聚氨酯胶黏剂(PU)与合成的Ag@SiO2球形颗粒分别配制成涂剂A与涂剂B,采用简单的交替高压喷涂技术与疏水改性处理,在棉织物表面构建了强健的微纳二级粗糙结构,继而获得超疏水性生物质网膜材料。系统地研究了等离子体预处理基材距离、电压、喷涂次数等对基材表面粗糙度的作用规律,并对合成产品在抗菌防护与油水分离领域进行了应用探索。结果,该产品是一种优异的特殊润湿性除油型生物质基网膜材料,能够有效地实现油水分离应用,并防止病菌附着。     

A dual-use of DBD plasma for simultaneous NO(x) and SO(2) removal from coal-combustion flue gas

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was investigated for the simultaneous removal of NO(x) and SO(2) from flue gas in a coal-combustion power plant. The DBD equipment was used in either a mode where flue gas was directed through the discharge zone (direct oxidation), or a mode where produced ozonized air was injected in the flue gas stream (indirect oxidation). Removal efficiencies of SO(2) and NO for both methods were measured and compared. Oxidation of NO is more efficient in the indirect oxidation, while oxidation of SO(2) is more efficient in the direct oxidation. Addition of NH(3), has lead to efficient removal of SO(2), due to thermal reaction, and has also enhanced NO removal due to heterogeneous reactions on the surface of ammonium salt aerosols. In the direct oxidation, concentration of CO increased significantly, while it maintained its level in the indirect oxidation.     

Macroporous interpenetrating cryogel network of poly(acrylonitrile) and gelatin for biomedical applications

Cryogels are supermacroporous gel network formed by cryogelation of appropriate monomers or polymeric precursors at subzero temperature. The beneficial feature of this system is a unique combination of high porosity with adequate mechanical strength and osmotic stability, due to which they are being envisaged as potential scaffold material for various biomedical applications. One of the important aspect of cryogel is simple approach by which they can be synthesized and use of aqueous solvent for their synthesis which make them suitable for different biological applications. Various modifications of the cryogels have been sought which involves coupling of various ligands to its surfaces, grafting of polymer chain to cryogel surface or interpenetrating networks of two or more polymers to form a cryogel which provides diversity of its applications. In the following work we have synthesized full interpenetrating network of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-gelatin with varied gelatin concentration. The PAN-gelatin cryogel interpenetrating network is macroporous in nature and has high percentage swelling equlibirium in the range of 862–1,200 with a flow rate greater than 10 ml/min, which characterizes the interconnectivity of pores and convective flow within the network. PAN-gelatin interpenetrating cryogel network has good mechanical stability as determined by Young’s modulus which varies from 123 kPa to 819 kPa depending upon the polymer concentration. Moreover they are shown to be biocompatible and support cell growth within the scaffolds.     

Macroporous interpenetrating cryogel network of poly(acrylonitrile) and gelatin for biomedical applications

Cryogels are supermacroporous gel network formed by cryogelation of appropriate monomers or polymeric precursors at subzero temperature. The beneficial feature of this system is a unique combination of high porosity with adequate mechanical strength and osmotic stability, due to which they are being envisaged as potential scaffold material for various biomedical applications. One of the important aspect of cryogel is simple approach by which they can be synthesized and use of aqueous solvent for their synthesis which make them suitable for different biological applications. Various modifications of the cryogels have been sought which involves coupling of various ligands to its surfaces, grafting of polymer chain to cryogel surface or interpenetrating networks of two or more polymers to form a cryogel which provides diversity of its applications. In the following work we have synthesized full interpenetrating network of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-gelatin with varied gelatin concentration. The PAN-gelatin cryogel interpenetrating network is macroporous in nature and has high percentage swelling equilibrium in the range of 862-1,200 with a flow rate greater than 10 ml/min, which characterizes the interconnectivity of pores and convective flow within the network. PAN-gelatin interpenetrating cryogel network has good mechanical stability as determined by Young's modulus which varies from 123 kPa to 819 kPa depending upon the polymer concentration. Moreover they are shown to be biocompatible and support cell growth within the scaffolds.     

Fly ash-based geopolymer for Pb removal from aqueous solution

The aim of this work was to synthesis highly amorphous geopolymer from waste coal fly ash, to be used as an adsorbent for lead Pb(II) removal from aqueous wastewater. The effect of various parameters including geopolymer dosage, initial concentration, contact time, pH and temperature on lead adsorption were investigated. The major components of the used ash in the current study were SiO(2), Al(2)O(3) and Fe(2)O(3) representing 91.53 wt% of its mass. It was found that the synthesized geopolymer has higher removal capacity for lead ions when compared with that of raw coal fly ash. The removal efficiency increases with increasing geopolymer dosage, contact time, temperature, and the decrease of Pb(2+) initial concentration. The optimum removal efficiency was obtained at pH 5. Adsorption isotherm study indicated that Langmuir isotherm model is the best fit for the experimental data than Freundlich model. It was found also that the adsorption process is endothermic and more favorable at higher temperatures.     

The NitRem process for nitrate removal from drinking water

A. F. Miquel of Otto Oeko-Tech looks at potential water treatment technologies that are able to remove nitrates from drinking water and details the way in which the development of nitrate selective membranes has resulted in the adaptation of electrodialysis and the development of the Nitrem process.