Removal of molybdate and vanadate ions by a copolymer adsorbent in a ultrafiltration system

In this investigation, the removal of Mo and V oxyanions was carried out using the polymer-assisted ultrafiltration technique with a poly(acrylamide-co-diallyldimethylammonium chloride) [P(AAm-DDACl)]. As a result, 100% of the Mo and 80% of the V were removed at pH 9 with a polymer:metal molar ratio of 10:1 and an optimal metal concentration of 60 mg L⁻¹. The presence of competitive ions such as phosphate, sulfate, and chloride affected the retention of Mo, decreasing its retention to 60% in all cases. For the V, all competitive ions behaved in a similar way, producing approximately 50% metal removal. The permeate flux was kept almost constant for all solutions (40 to 80 L hm⁻²), which indicates that the optimal retention conditions are stable over time. In addition, the characterization of the P(AAm-DDACl) was carried out using infrared spectroscopy analysis (FTIR), and the morphology of the membrane before and after use was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, which showed significant changes in its morphology. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis indicates the presence of Mo and P(AAm-DDACl) in the membrane after use. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 48184.     

Nanoparticles of 4,7-dichloro-2-quinolinemethylacrylate-based copolymers and their potential cytotoxic activity on human breast carcinoma cells

In this article, an improved synthesis strategy of the potent anticancer compound 4,7-dichloro-2-quinolinemethanol (QM) and its acrylate ester 4,7-dichloro-2-quinolinemethylacrylate (AQM) are described. AQM is copolymerized using free-radical polymerization with N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (VP) and the copolymers obtained from different molar ratios of monomers are subjected to nanoprecipitation to produce suspensions of nanoparticles (NPs) in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The smallest and stable NPs are prepared with the AQM-VP copolymers 45:55 and 40:60 (118.9 and 128.7 nm in diameter, respectively) at 1 mg mL⁻¹, and along with AQM and QM, are evaluated for their cytotoxic activity on MDA-MB-453 breast carcinoma cells using MTT bioassay. AQM and QM are highly cytotoxic (IC₅₀: 19 and 41 μM, respectively); however, the NPs are not cytotoxic in the range of the assayed concentrations. These results contribute to the search for new polymeric NPs with potential application as QM delivery systems for the treatment of cancer or other diseases treatable with QM. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47545.     

Characterization of tannase activity in cell-free extracts of Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 748T

In foods, tannins are considered nutritionally undesirable. Spectrophotometric methods have been used to detect tannin degradation by L. plantarum strains isolated from food substrates. Enzymatic degradation of tannic acid by L. plantarum CECT 748T was examined in liquid cultures and in cell-free extracts by HPLC. Significative reduction of tannic acid was not observed during incubation in the presence of L. plantarum cells after 7 days incubation. However, tannic acid was effectively degraded by cell-free extracts of L. plantarum during 16 h incubation. We have partially characterized L. plantarum tannase activity by measuring its esterase activity on methyl gallate. Tannase activity was optimal at pH 5.0 and 30 degrees C, and showed nearly 75% of the maximal activity at 50 degrees C. The biochemical characteristics showed by L. plantarum tannase are considered favourable for tannin biodegradation in the food-processing industry.     

Developing a New qPCR‐Based System for Screening Mutation

An accurate genotyping analysis is one of the critical prerequisites for lung cancer targeted therapy. Here, a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)‐based mutation detection system, mutation‐selected amplification‐specific system PCR (MASS‐PCR), is developed. The specific primers and probes used in MASS‐PCR exactly match with the mutant sequence that only allows mutant gene to emit the fluorescence peak. To determine the sensitivity of MASS‐PCR, 717 lung cancer specimens, 61 formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissues, and 656 fresh reaction tissues are collected and undergo mutation detection of lung cancer driver genes (EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, HER2, MET, ALK, and ROS1). These samples are divided into two groups. Mutations in Group I, which has 631 fresh reaction tissues, are analyzed by MASS‐PCR and the amplification refractory mutation system PCR (ARMS‐PCR). While group II samples, 25 fresh reaction tissues and 61 FFPE tissues, are screened through MASS‐PCR and next‐generation sequencing (NGS). All results are verified by direct sequencing. MASS‐PCR shows high consistency with ARMS‐PCR (kappa value > 0.733) and NGS (kappa value = 0.79) (P < 0.001). For the samples with inconsistent MASS‐PCR and ARMS‐PCR results, DS results more likely support the MASS‐PCR results. These data suggest that MASS‐PCR is a convenient, accurate, and economical method for the detection of lung cancer driver gene mutations in clinical practice.     

Incidence of an Ozonation Stage on the Treatment of Cherry Stillage by Activated Sludge

This article presents a laboratory study of the ozonation of diluted cherry stillage, a high-strength wastewater. Influence of variables, kinetics, and the effects of an ozonation stage coupled with the biological treatment by activated sludge are addressed. Single activated sludge processing was shown effective to remove biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) but polyphenols were reduced to a lesser extent. On the other hand, direct wastewater ozonation did not reduce COD and total organic carbon (TOC) appreciably, and foaming problems were experienced when a high gas flow rate was applied. However, polyphenols and UV₂₅₄ absorbance decreased substantially by means of ozonation. To best achieve complete cherry stillage purification, two ways of coupling ozonation with activated sludge are proposed. Ozonation prior to activated sludge is advised for high-concentration wastewater to reduce polyphenol concentration, thus removing inhibiting effects. For wastewater with low polyphenol concentration the sequence activated sludge–ozonation–activated sludge is preferred to enhance the overall process performance in terms of oxidation efficiency and sludge settling.     

Binding of chlorpheniramine maleate to pharmacologically important alginic acid,carboxymethylcellulose, κ‐carageenan,and ι‐carrageenan as studied by diafiltration

The binding of cationic chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) to the anionic water‐soluble polymers (WSPs) alginic acid, carboxymethylcellulose, κ‐carageenan, and ι‐carageenan was evaluated by diafiltration at pH 7.5 and in the absence and presence of 0.13M NaCl. CPM interacted with all of the WSPs when no NaCl was present in the solution, with charge‐related formation constants of around 700 M^?1 for all of the polymers, whereas the interactions were cleaved in the presence of 0.13M NaCl, indicating interactions of an electrostatic nature screened by the single electrolyte. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 598–602, 2005     

Use of the axial dispersion model to describe the O3 and O3 /H2O2 advanced oxidation of alachlor in water

Experiments on alachlor degradation by ozonation alone and combined with hydrogen peroxide using different surface waters have been conducted in a reactor bubble column and a kinetic model of the advanced oxidation process has been proposed. Variables studied were the nature of the surface water (four surface waters were treated), pH (3.5–9.7) and hydrogen peroxide to ozone mass ratio at the column inlet (0.1–1.85 g g^?1). Data on residence time distribution, rate constants and the absorption kinetic regime were considered to prepare the kinetic model, which was also based on the axial dispersion model of non‐ideal flow. The model gives good predictions of alachlor and hydrogen peroxide conversions and the fraction of dissolved ozone (deviations were lower than ±15%) although it fails, in some cases, to yield accurate estimates of the observed experimental trends of concentrations in water at the reactor column outlet. The calculated results were close to those obtained from the more classical N well‐mixed tanks‐in‐series model (deviations with this model were lower than ±20%). It is concluded that quantitative deviations from experimental observations were likely due to the lack of rate data on ozone reactions with organic matter present in the surface waters investigated. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Metal ion sorption by chitosan–tripolyphosphate beads

Heavy metal removal from wastewater is crucial for the proper management of discharged water from mining operations. This residual water is typically unusable for other purposes such as for human/animal, crop, or industrial consumption. Eco‐friendly adsorption materials are necessary to ensure the sustainable treatment of this wastewater. Therefore, the sorption of Cu(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) ions onto chitosan–tripolyphosphate (CTPP) beads was investigated using real mining wastewater and prepared ion metal solutions. The effects of pH, contact time, temperature, selectivity, and maximum sorption capacity in successive batches at different concentrations were studied. The optimum sorption of cations, except for copper (pH 3) was found at pH 5. Equilibrium in the adsorption of all metals was reached at 24 h of contact. Studies of the maximum sorption capacity at different concentrations showed that the CTPP beads could adsorb 158, 55, 47, and 47 mg/g of Pb(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II), respectively. Experimental data for the sorption of Pb(II) were optimally correlated with the Langmuir model. The thermodynamic parameters such as the changes in enthalpy (ΔH⁰), entropy (ΔS⁰), and free energy (ΔG⁰) were determined. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45511.