Conversion of lanthanum and cerium recovered from hazardous waste polishing powders to hazardous ammonia decomposition catalysts.

The polishing process in high-tech industries produces a large amount of waste polishing slurry, which is harmful to the environment, and the solid powders in the slurry contain a lot of La and Ce, which have been widely used as catalyst materials. The aim of this study was to convert this hazardous material into hazardous material decomposition catalyst. A novel and simple approach was successfully developed for the recovery of La and Ce from hazardous waste polishing powders to synthesize a composite metal oxide catalyst for decomposition of harmful ammonia. Here, La and Ce were leached from waste polishing powder by using nitric acid, and the Ce, La, and total REE recovery rates were approximately 100%, 83.3%, and 96.4%, respectively. The elemental concentrations of leached acidic solution was analyzed, after which stoichiometry was performed to replenish elements with insufficient mole numbers. Finally, the catalyst material was prepared using the glycine-nitrate combustion process. The catalyst prepared from the recovered polishing powders achieved a 100% ammonia conversion rate at the relatively low temperature of 250 °C. The proposed environmentally friendly method does not require complex purification and separation procedures and can be used for the synthesis of catalysts for decomposing other harmful pollutants.

Serum levels of IL-33 is increased in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is implicated in rheumatoid arthritis with effects of promoting tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) productions, which have been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, changes of IL-33 levels and its effects in AS have not been investigated. Eighty-nine and 178 healthy controls were included in the current study. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum levels of C-reactive protein, IL-17, and IL-33 were determined. Effects of IL-33 on TNF-α and IL-6 productions were investigated. Effects of IL-33 on neutrophil migration were also evaluated. Serum levels of IL-33 were elevated in AS patients. Moreover, IL-33 was significantly higher in active AS patients according to Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index. IL-33 concentrations in serum were positively correlated with TNF-α and IL-17 levels (IL-33 and TNF-α, r = 0.54, P < 0.01; IL-33 and IL-17, r = 0.47, P < 0.01). IL-33 dose-dependently enhanced TNF-α and IL-6 productions by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) responding to lipopolysaccharide. IL-33 induced neutrophil migration only in higher doses (≥10 ng/ml). Serum levels of IL-33 were elevated in AS patients. IL-33 may play a role in AS development via enhancing TNF-α production by PBMCs and inducing neutrophil migration.

Hydrothermal treatment of electric arc furnace dust.

In this study, ZnO crystals were fabricated from electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) after alkaline leaching, purification and hydrothermal treatment. The effects of temperature, duration, pH, and solid/liquid ratio on ZnO crystal morphology and size were investigated. Results show a high reaction temperature capable of accelerating the dissolution of ZnO precursor, expediting the growth of 1D ZnO, and increasing the L/D ratio in the temperature range of 100-200°C. ZnO crystals with high purity can also be obtained, using the one-step hydrothermal treatment with a baffle that depends on the different solubility of zincite and franklinite in the hydrothermal conditions.

Simultaneous determination of cinnamaldehyde, eugenol and paeonol in traditional Chinese medicinal preparations by capillary GC-FID.

A capillary GC method was established for simultaneous determination of cinnamaldehyde (CNMD), eugenol (EL) and paeonol (PL) in two traditional Chinese herbal medicinal preparations, Weitongding tablet (WTDT) and Guifu Dihuang pill (GDHP). The assays were based on a programmed temperature GC in a 30 m x 0.53 mm capillary column with nitrogen as carrier and FID detector. Good linearities were obtained over ranges of 0.45-452 mg/l CNMD, 0.31-625 mg/l EL and 0.30-610 mg/l PL, respectively. The spike recoveries were within 84-111%.

Simultaneous determination of chlorogenic acid, forsythin and arctiin in Chinese traditional medicines preparation by reversed phase-HPLC.

A reversed phase (RP)-HPLC method was established for simultaneous determination of chlorogenic acid, arctiin and forsythin in Yinqiao Jiedu Granules, which was a commonly used Chinese herbal medical preparation for treatment of rheum ailments. The determination was based on a gradient elution (A: 1% acetic acid, pH=3.0, B: methanol) on a C18 column and an automatic wavelength switching program, where 325 nm was used for chlorogenic acid and 280 nm for arctiin and forsythin, respectively. Good linearities were obtained over the range of 2-200 mg.l(-1) for the 3 objective compounds. The spike recoveries were within 96.0-97.9%.

RP-HPLC determination of puerarin in Chinese traditional medicinal preparations containing pueraria.

Puerarin in a Gegen(Pueraria)-based Chinese traditional medicinal preparations, Ganmao Qingre Granules, from four different pharmaceutical manufacturers and in two different dosage forms, were determined using RP-HPLC with methanol-5 mmol l(-1) KH(2)PO(4) (pH = 4.0) (V:V = 27:73) as mobile phase and UV detection at 248 nm. Ultrasonication and reflux were compared as pretreatment procedures for the sample. Linear range over 0.2-200 microg ml(-1) of puerarin was obtained, and the limit of detection was 0.1 microg ml(-1). Recovery was within 99.7-103%.