Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate suppresses microglia polarization and neuroinflammation possibly via regulating miR-125b-5p/STAT3 axis to ameliorate neuropathic pain.

The spinal cord microglia play a pivotal role in neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain (NP). Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS), a derivative of tanshinone IIA, has anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic effects. However, its underlying mechanism in NP remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of STS and elucidate possible mechanisms in a rat model of spared nerve injury. In vivo experiments, STS and AG490 were administered intraperitoneally once daily for 14 consecutive days after surgery. The results showed that the expression of miR-125b-5p in the spinal dorsal horn was substantially reduced, whereas signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling was increased. After treatment with STS, the mechanical thresholds, expression of miR-125b-5p, and microglial M2 marker such as Arg-1 in the spinal cord horn increased significantly, whereas multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis were significantly reduced. Moreover, STAT3 pathway-related proteins and expression of the microglial M1 marker, CD68, were appreciably inhibited. In vitro, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce an inflammatory response in BV-2 microglial cells. STS pretreatment inhibited LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, reduced STAT3 pathway related-proteins and apoptosis, increased miR-125b-5p and proopiomelanocortin expression, and enhanced microglia transformation from M1 to M2 phenotype in BV-2 cells. These effects were reversed after the inhibition of miR-125b-5p expression in BV-2 cells. A dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that STAT3 binds to miR-125b-5p. In summary, these results suggest that STS exerts anti-hyperalgesic and anti-neuroinflammatory effects in rats with NP possibly via the miR-125b-5p/STAT3 axis.

Phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soil by Jatropha curcas.

This study employed Jatropha curcas (bioenergy crop plant) to assist in the removal of heavy metals from contaminated field soils. Analyses were conducted on the concentrations of the individual metals in the soil and in the plants, and their differences over the growth periods of the plants were determined. The calculation of plant biomass after 2 years yielded the total amount of each metal that was removed from the soil. In terms of the absorption of heavy metal contaminants by the roots and their transfer to aerial plant parts, Cd, Ni, and Zn exhibited the greatest ease of absorption, whereas Cu, Cr, and Pb interacted strongly with the root cells and remained in the roots of the plants. J. curcas showed the best absorption capability for Cd, Cr, Ni, and Zn. This study pioneered the concept of combining both bioremediation and afforestation by J. curcas, demonstrated at a field scale.

Extraction of heavy metals from contaminated soil by Cinnamomum camphora.

83 acres of rice paddy fields in Taoyuan county, Taiwan, were polluted by cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and copper (Cu) through a nearby irrigation channel, and rice plantation was ceased in 1987. Camphor trees (Cinnamomum camphora) have been planted in 2 acre of the above fields since 1991. Heavy metal accumulation of roots, leaves, branches and heartwood of camphor trees were analyzed during 20-year afforestation. Averaged Cd contents of the roots were found larger than the ones of the branches, leaves, sapwood and heartwood of camphor trees growing in three polluted plots. Averaged diameters at breast height (DBH) of the planted camphor trees were 13-15 cm. Cd pollution did not significantly impact the growth of camphor trees, as similar DBH's were found from both polluted and control sites. Annual growths of DBH were from 0.63 to 0.77 cm year(-1). Planting camphor trees sequestered 68.8 ton biomass per acre. During 20-year period, 0.69-1.98 ton C year(-1) ha(-1) were sequestered on three polluted plots. The above numbers exceeded IPCC LULUCF reference values 0.31-0.53 ton C year(-1) ha(-1) for activities at forest lands.

Reduction behavior of zinc ferrite in EAF-dust recycling with CO gas as a reducing agent.

EAF-dust containing metal oxides can be regarded as an important source for zinc and iron. In this study, the reduction behavior of zinc ferrite with CO gas as a reducing agent under different temperatures was investigated to develop a new process for the recovery of zinc and iron from EAF-dust. The results of the phase studies with synthetic franklinite show that zinc substituted wustite, and spinel with low zinc content formed at lower temperatures from 450 to 850 °C due to incomplete zinc-iron-separation. Zinc ferrite was completely reduced to metallic zinc and iron at 950 °C. After evaporation and condensation, metallic zinc was collected in the form of zinc powder while iron, the reduction residue, was obtained in the form of direct reduced iron (DRI). The mass balance indicates a high zinc recovery ratio of over 99%. The new treatment process by thermal reduction with CO gas as a reducing agent achieved higher recovery and metallization grade of both zinc and iron from EAF-dust at lower temperatures than other commercial processes. The metallic products can be used directly as semi-products or as raw materials for refinery.

Factors affecting chelating extraction of Cr, Cu, and As from CCA-treated wood.

The disposal of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated waste wood is becoming a serious problem in many countries due to potential leaching of hazardous elements from in-service use in the environment or disposal of solutions after remediation; therefore, it is necessary to develop proper remediation techniques. The effects of concentration, extraction period, temperature, and sequential extraction on the extraction of Cr, Cu, and As from CCA-treated wood using [S,S]-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) were studied. Mobility of metal in the samples was evaluated by using a sequential extraction scheme that could give the information needed to explain different extraction efficiencies for different metals. Results of long-term leaching tests of CCA-treated wood before and after EDDS extraction were used to evaluate Cr, Cu, and As leachability. Kinetic experiments showed that 6 h was the optimum extraction time for all metals and CCA-treated wood. Experimental results showed that EDDS is a very effective chelating agent for the extraction of Cr, Cu, and As from CCA-treated wood. Increased temperature significantly enhanced the extraction efficiency of CCA metals, especially Cr and As. The much better extractability of Cu compared to Cr and As by chelating agents can be attributed to the presence of larger weakly bound fractions. The CCA-treated woods after EDDS extraction have met the EPA's TCLP regulatory limit and could be classified as a non-hazardous waste according to identification standard of hazardous wastes.

Characterization and pulp refining activity of a Paenibacillus campinasensis cellulase expressed in Escherichia coli.

The Cel-BL11 gene from Paenibacillus campinasensis BL11 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli as a His-tag fusion protein. Zymographic analysis of the recombinant protein revealed cellulase activity corresponding to a protein with a 38-kDa molecular weight. The optimum temperature and pH for purified cellulase were 60 °C and pH 7.0, respectively. The enzyme retained more than 80% activity after 8h at 60 °C at pH 6 and 7. The cellulase has a Km of 11.25 mg/ml and a Vmax of 1250 µmol/min/mg with carboxylmethyl cellulose (CMC). Then enzyme was active on Avicel, swollen Avicel, CMC, barley ß-glucan, laminarin in the presence of 100 mM acetate buffer. It was inhibited by Hg²âº, Cu²âº and Zn²âº. Significant kraft pulp refining energy saving, 10%, was exhibited by the pretreatment of this cellulase applied at 2 IU per gram of oven-dried pulp. Broad pH and temperature stability render this cellulase a convenient applicability toward current mainstream biomass conversion and other industrial processes.