Sustainable utilization of Fe3O4-modified activated lignite for aqueous phosphate removal and ANN modeling.

Lignites are widely available and cost-effective in many countries. Sustainable methods for their utilization drive innovation, potentially advancing environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. In the present study, Fe3O4 (∼25.1 nm) supported on KOH-activated lignite (A-L) displayed 8 times higher phosphate removal than pristine A-L (67.6 mg/g vs. 8.5 mg/g at pH 5, 50 mg of absorbent in 25 mL of 1500 ppm [phosphate]), owing to its abundant Fe3O4 (10 wt.% of Fe) nanoparticle content. The removal occurred within ∼2 hours, following a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Across pH levels ranging from 5.0 to 9.0, Fe3O4-A-L's phosphate removal occurs via both chemisorption and precipitation, as evident by kinetic, pH, and XPS analyses. The phosphate adsorption fits better with the Freundlich isotherm. The combined benefits of facile recovery, rapid phosphate uptake, straightforward regeneration, and attractive post-adsorption benefits (e.g., possibly use as a Fe, P-rich fertilizer) make magnetic Fe3O4-A-L a promising candidate for real-world applications. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) modeling indicates an excellent accuracy (R2 = 0.99) in predicting the amount of phosphate removed by Fe3O4-A-L. Sensitivity analysis revealed both temperature and initial concentration as the most influencing factors. Leveraging lignite in environmentally friendly applications not only addresses immediate challenges but also aligns with sustainability goals. The study clearly articulates the potential benefits of utilizing lignite for sustainable phosphate removal and recovery, offering avenues for mitigating environmental concerns while utilizing resources efficiently.

The inherent nature of N/P heteroatoms in Sargassum fusiforme seaweed biochar enhanced the nonradical activation of peroxymonosulfate for acetaminophen degradation in aquatic environments.

This study investigated the catalytic activity of biochar materials derived from algal biomass Sargassum fusiforme (S. fusiforme) for groundwater remediation. A facile single-step pyrolysis process was used to prepare S. fusiforme biochar (SFBCX), where x denotes pyrolysis temperatures (600 °C-900 °C). The surface characterization revealed that SFBC800 possesses intrinsic N and P heteroatoms. The optimum experimental condition for acetaminophen (AAP) degradation (>98.70%) was achieved in 60 min using 1.0 mM peroxymonosulfate (PMS), 100 mg L-1 SFBC800, and pH 5.8 (unadjusted). Moreover, the degradation rate constant (k) was evaluated by the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The maximum degradation (>98.70%) of AAP was achieved within 60 min of oxidation. Subsequently, the k value was calculated to be 6.7 × 10-2 min-1. The scavenger tests showed that radical and nonradical processes are involved in the SFBC800/PMS system. Moreover, the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the SFBC800/PMS system was confirmed using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Intriguingly, both radical (O2•-, •OH, and SO4•-) and nonradical (1O2) ROS were formed in the SFBC800/PMS system. In addition, electrochemical studies were conducted to verify the electron transfer process of the nonradical mechanism in the SFBC800/PMS system. The scavenger and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy showed that singlet oxygen (1O2) is the predominant component in AAP degradation. Under optimal condition, the SFBC800/PMS system reached ∼81% mineralization of AAP within 5 min and continued to ∼85% achieved over 60 min of oxidation. Coexisting ions and different aqueous matrices were investigated to examine the feasibility of the catalyst system, and the SFBC800/PMS system was found to be effective in the remediation of AAP-contaminated groundwater, river water, and effluent water obtained from wastewater treatment plants. Moreover, the SFBC800-activated PMS system demonstrated reusability. Our findings indicate that the SFBC800 catalyst has excellent catalytic activity for AAP degradation in aquatic environments.

Exploring the environmental pathways and challenges of fluoroquinolone antibiotics: A state-of-the-art review.

Fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics have become a subject of growing concern due to their increasing presence in the environment, particularly in the soil and groundwater. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the attributes, prevalence, ecotoxicity, and remediation approaches associated with FQs in environmental matrices. The paper discusses the physicochemical properties that influence the fate and transport of FQs in soil and groundwater, exploring the factors contributing to their prevalence in these environments. Furthermore, the ecotoxicological implications of FQ contamination in soil and aquatic ecosystems are reviewed, shedding light on the potential risks to environmental and human health. The latter part of the review is dedicated to an extensive analysis of remediation approaches, encompassing both in-situ and ex-situ methods employed to mitigate FQ contamination. The critical evaluation of these remediation strategies provides insights into their efficacy, limitations, and environmental implications. In this investigation, a correlation between FQ antibiotics and climate change is established, underlining its significance in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study further identifies and delineates multiple research gaps, proposing them as key areas for future investigational directions. Overall, this review aims to consolidate current knowledge on FQs in soil and groundwater, offering a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners engaged in environmental management and public health.

A critical review of sustainable pesticide remediation in contaminated sites: Research challenges and mechanistic insights.

Incidental pesticide application on farmlands can result in contamination of off-target biota, soil, groundwater, and surrounding ecosystems. To manage these pesticide contaminations sustainably, it is important to utilize advanced approaches to pesticide decontamination. This review assesses various innovative strategies applied for remediating pesticide-contaminated sites, including physical, chemical, biological, and nanoremediation. Integrated remediation approaches appear to be more effective than singular technologies. Bioremediation and chemical remediation are considered suitable and sustainable strategies for decontaminating contaminated soils. Furthermore, this study highlights key mechanisms underlying advanced pesticide remediation that have not been systematically studied. The transformation of applied pesticides into metabolites through various biotic and chemical triggering factors is well documented. Ex-situ and in-situ technologies are the two main categories employed for pesticide remediation. However, when selecting a remediation technique, it is important to consider factors such as application sites, cost-effectiveness, and specific purpose. In this review, the sustainability of existing pesticide remediation strategies is thoroughly analyzed as a pioneering effort. Additionally, the study summarizes research uncertainties and technical challenges associated with different remediation approaches. Lastly, specific recommendations and policy advocacy are suggested to enhance contemporary remediation approaches for cleaning up pesticide-contaminated sites.

Pinostilbene inhibits full-length and splice variant of androgen receptor in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer in men worldwide and is promoted by the sex hormone androgen. Expression of androgen from the testis can be significantly reduced through castration. However, as most prostate cancer patients acquire castration resistance, additional therapeutic solutions are necessary. Although anti-androgens, such as enzalutamide, have been used to treat castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), enzalutamide-resistant CRPC (Enz-resistant CRPC) has emerged. Therefore, development of novel treatments for Enz-resistant CRPC is urgent. In this study, we found a novel anti-androgen called pinostilbene through screening with a GAL4-transactivation assay. We confirmed that pinostilbene directly binds to androgen receptor (AR) and inhibits its activation and translocalization. Pinostilbene treatment also reduced the protein level and downstream gene expression of AR. Furthermore, pinostilbene reduced the protein level of AR variant 7 in the Enz-resistant prostate cancer cell line 22Rv1 and inhibited cell viability and proliferation. Our results suggest that pinostilbene has the potential to treat Enz-resistant CRPC.

A critical review of sustainable application of biochar for green remediation: Research uncertainty and future directions.

Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from the pyrolysis of organic biomass, has gained significant attention as a potential solution for sustainable green remediation practices. Several studies analyze biomass-derived biochar techniques and environmental applications, but comprehensive assessments of biochar limitations, uncertainty, and future research directions still need to be improved. This critical review aims to present a comprehensive analysis of biochar's efficacy in environmental applications, including soil, water, and air, by sequentially addressing its preparation, application, and associated challenges. The review begins by delving into the diverse methods of biochar production, highlighting their influence on physical and chemical properties. This review explores the diverse applications of biochar in remediating contaminated soil, water, and air while emphasizing its sustainability and eco-friendly characteristics. The focus is on incorporating biochar as a remediation technique for pollutant removal, sequestration, and soil improvement. The review highlights the promising results obtained from laboratory-scale experiments, field trials, and case studies, showcasing the effectiveness of biochar in mitigating contaminants and restoring ecosystems. The environmental benefits and challenges of biochar production, characterization, and application techniques are critically discussed. The potential synergistic effects of combining biochar with other remediation methods are also explored to enhance its efficacy. A rigorous analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of biochar for diverse environmental applications in terms of technical, environmental, economic, and social issues is required to support the commercialization of biochar for large-scale uses. Finally, future research directions and recommendations are presented to facilitate the development and implementation of biochar-based, sustainable green remediation strategies.

Knockdown of PTK7 Reduces the Oncogenic Potential of Breast Cancer Cells by Impeding Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling.

Protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7), a catalytically defective receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), is often upregulated in various cancers. This study aimed to validate PTK7 as a target for breast cancer (BC) and investigate its oncogenic signaling mechanism. BC tissue analysis showed significantly elevated PTK7 mRNA levels, especially in refractory triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tissues, compared with normal controls. Similarly, BC cell lines exhibited increased PTK7 expression. Knockdown of PTK7 inhibited the proliferation of T-47D and MCF-7 hormone-receptor-positive BC cell-lines and of HCC1187, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-436, and MDA-MB-453 TNBC cells. PTK7 knockdown also inhibited the adhesion, migration, and invasion of MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-436, and MDA-MB-453 cells, and reduced the phosphorylation levels of crucial oncogenic regulators including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Akt, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Furthermore, PTK7 interacts with fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expressed in MDA-MB-231 cells. Knockdown of PTK7 decreased the growth-factor-induced phosphorylation of FGFR1 and EGFR in MDA-MB-231 cells, indicating its association with RTK activation. In conclusion, PTK7 plays a significant role in oncogenic signal transduction by enhancing FGFR1 and EGFR activation, influencing BC tumorigenesis and metastasis. Hence, PTK7 represents a potential candidate for targeted BC therapy, including TNBC.

Gossypetin Prevents the Progression of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis by Regulating Oxidative Stress and AMP-Activated Protein Kinase.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a severe liver metabolic disorder, however, there are still no effective and safe drugs for its treatment. Previous clinical trials used various therapeutic approaches to target individual pathologic mechanisms, but these approaches were unsuccessful because of the complex pathologic causes of NASH. Combinatory therapy in which two or more drugs are administered simultaneously to patients with NASH, however, carries the risk of side effects associated with each individual drug. To solve this problem, we identified gossypetin as an effective dual-targeting agent that activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and decreases oxidative stress. Administration of gossypetin decreased hepatic steatosis, lobular inflammation and liver fibrosis in the liver tissue of mice with choline-deficient high-fat diet and methionine-choline deficient diet (MCD) diet-induced NASH. Gossypetin functioned directly as an antioxidant agent, decreasing hydrogen peroxide and palmitate-induced oxidative stress in the AML12 cells and liver tissue of MCD diet-fed mice without regulating the antioxidant response factors. In addition, gossypetin acted as a novel AMPK activator by binding to the allosteric drug and metabolite site, which stabilizes the activated structure of AMPK. Our findings demonstrate that gossypetin has the potential to serve as a novel therapeutic agent for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease /NASH. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study demonstrates that gossypetin has preventive effect to progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) as a novel AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator and antioxidants. Our findings indicate that simultaneous activation of AMPK and oxidative stress using gossypetin has the potential to serve as a novel therapeutic approach for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease /NASH patients.

Algae-derived metal-free boron-doped biochar acts as a catalyst for the activation of peroxymonosulfate toward the degradation of diclofenac.

In this study, plain seaweed biochar (SW) and boron-doped seaweed biochar (BSW) were prepared through a simple pyrolysis process using Undaria pinnatifida (algae biomass) and boric acid. The BSW catalyst was utilized to degrade organic pollutants in aqueous environments by activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Surface characterization of the BSW demonstrated successful doping of boron into the biochar materials. BSW600 exhibited greater catalytic activity than SW600, as evidenced by the former's maximum adsorption capacity of diclofenac (DCF) onto BSW600 (qmax = 30.01 mg g-1) and the activation of PMS. Complete degradation of DCF was achieved in 30 min using 100 mg L-1 BSW600, 0.5 mM PMS, and 6.5 initial solution pH as critical parameters. The pseudo-first-order kinetic model accurately described the DCF degradation kinetics. The scavenger experiment displayed that radical and non-radical reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed in the BSW600/PMS system. Furthermore, the generation of ROS in the BSW600/PMS system was confirmed by electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR). The percentage contribution of ROS was assessed to be 12.3, 45.0, and 42.7% for HO•, SO4•-, and 1O2, respectively. Additionally, the electron transfer pathway was also confirmed by electrochemical analysis. Moreover, the influence of water matrics on the BSW600/PMS system was demonstrated. The co-existence of anions and humic acid (HA) did not affect the catalytic activity of the BSW600/PMS system. The recyclability of BSW600 was assessed by DCF removal (86.3%) after three cycles. Ecological structure-activity relationships software was used to assess by-product toxicity. This study demonstrates the efficacy of non-metallic heteroatom-doped biochar materials as eco-friendly catalysts in groundwater applications.

Engineered ball-milled colloidal activated carbon material for advanced oxidation process of ibuprofen: Influencing factors and insights into the mechanism.

This study explores a simple and efficient, physically modified ball-milled activated carbon (ACBM) preparation from granular activated carbon (GAC), which can be demonstrated for groundwater application. The colloidal stability of the ACBM plays a vital role in the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and the degradation of pollutants. Adsorption kinetics and isotherm studies explain that the ACBM has more active sites and maximum adsorption capacity (qmax = 509 mg g-1) on the surface of the materials than GAC. The 92% of ibuprofen degradation was achieved at 240 min along with 0.1 g L-1 of ACBM, 5 mM of PMS, and 6.3 of initial solution pH. A chemical scavenger and electron spin resonance spectra also confirmed the formation of reactive oxygen species such as radicals (O2•-, HO•, SO4•-) and non-radical (1O2) in the ACBM/PMS system. Three major degradation pathways, hydroxylation, demethylation, and decarboxylation involved in ibuprofen degradation. Nearly 13 degradation by-products were detected during the ACBM/PMS oxidation of ibuprofen. The toxicity analysis of oxidation by-products of ibuprofen was also discussed by computational simulation employing the ecological structure-activity relationships software. The ACBM/PMS system was successfully applied to the natural groundwater system for ibuprofen degradation. Hence, the ACBM/PMS system is an excellent catalyst for real groundwater applications.

Degradation of phenol by ball-milled activated carbon (ACBM) activated dual oxidant (persulfate/calcium peroxide) system: Effect of preadsorption and sequential injection.

This study explored pre-adsorption and sequential injection of dual oxidant (DuOx) of persulfate (PS) and calcium peroxide (CP) for phenol degradation in an aqueous solution. Ball-milled activated carbon (ACBM) was used as the catalyst in the following systems: pre-adsorption and sequential injection of PS and CP (ACBM + PS + CP), pre-adsorption and simultaneous injection of PS and CP (ACBM + PS/CP), simultaneous injection of ACBM, PS, and CP (ACBM/PS/CP), simultaneous injection of ACBM and PS (ACBM/PS), and simultaneous injection of ACBM and CP (ACBM/CP). The ACBM had a larger specific surface area, more graphitic structures, and more defects. Moreover, it showed better phenol removal when introduced simultaneously with PS and CP. The phenol removal was most the efficient in ACBM + PS + CP (98.8%) with a near-neutral final pH, followed by ACBM + PS/CP, ACBM/PS, ACBM/PS/CP, and ACBM/CP. This indicates that pre-adsorption and separate injection of PS and CP were the key strategy for improved performance and maintained favorable pH for the activation of PS and CP. The dual oxidant system (PS/CP) is superior to single oxidant systems (PS or CP). Scavenger experiments and the electron spin resonance spectra (ESR) demonstrated that non-radical species (1O2) were dominantly involved in ACBM + PS + CP, but radical species (HO•, SO4•-) also contributed. HCO3- and HPO42- inhibited phenol degradation in ACBM + PS + CP, whereas Cl- and HA had negligible effects. The ACBM + PS + CP showed high total organic carbon removal and ACBM was recyclable with a slight decrease in activity. This work is important as it provides a detailed insight into the strategy of pre-adsorption and sequential injection of dual oxidants for a practical and cost-effective method of groundwater remediation.

Anti-PTK7 Monoclonal Antibodies Exhibit Anti-Tumor Activity at the Cellular Level and in Mouse Xenograft Models of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

PTK7 is a catalytically defective receptor protein tyrosine kinase upregulated in various cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In previous studies, we observed a positive correlation between PTK7 expression levels and tumorigenicity in various ESCC cell lines and xenograft mice with ESCC KYSE-30 cells. In this study, we analyzed the effects of anti-PTK7 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) on the tumorigenic activity in KYSE-30 cells and in mouse xenograft models. PTK7 mAb-32 and mAb-43 bind with a high affinity to the extracellular domain of PTK7. PTK7 mAbs significantly reduced three-dimensional cell proliferation, adhesion, wound healing, and migration. PTK7 mAbs also reduce chemotactic invasiveness by decreasing MMP-9 secretion. PTK7 mAbs decreased actin cytoskeleton levels in the cortical region of KYSE-30 cells. PTK7 mAbs reduced the phosphorylation of ERK, SRC, and FAK. In a mouse xenograft model of ESCC using KYSE-30 cells, PTK7 mAbs reduced tumor growth in terms of volume, weight, and the number of Ki-67-positive cells. These results demonstrated that PTK7 mAbs can inhibit the tumorigenicity of ESCC at the cellular level and in vivo by blocking the function of PTK7. Considering the anticancer activities of PTK7 mAbs, we propose that PTK7 mAbs can be used in an effective treatment strategy for PTK7-positive malignancies, such as ESCC.

Anti-PTK7 Monoclonal Antibodies Inhibit Angiogenesis by Suppressing PTK7 Function.

PTK7, a catalytically defective receptor protein tyrosine kinase, promotes angiogenesis by activating KDR through direct interaction and induction of KDR oligomerization. This study developed anti-PTK7 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to regulate angiogenesis by inhibiting PTK7 function. The effect of anti-PTK7 mAbs on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenic phenotypes in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) was examined. Analysis of mAb binding with PTK7 deletion mutants revealed that mAb-43 and mAb-52 recognize immunoglobulin (Ig) domain 2 of PTK7, whereas mAb-32 and mAb-50 recognize Ig domains 6-7. Anti-PTK7 mAbs inhibited VEGF-induced adhesion and wound healing in HUVECs. mAb-32, mAb-43, and mAb-52 dose-dependently mitigated VEGF-induced migration and invasion in HUVECs without exerting cytotoxic effects. Additionally, mAb-32, mAb-43, and mAb-52 inhibited capillary-like tube formation in HUVECs, and mAb-32 and mAb-43 suppressed angiogenesis ex vivo (aortic ring assay) and in vivo (Matrigel plug assay). Furthermore, mAb-32 and mAb-43 downregulated VEGF-induced KDR activation and downstream signaling and inhibited PTK7-KDR interaction in PTK7-overexpressing and KDR-overexpressing HEK293 cells. Thus, anti-PTK7 mAbs inhibit angiogenic phenotypes by blocking PTK7-KDR interaction. These findings indicate that anti-PTK7 mAbs that neutralize PTK7 function can alleviate impaired angiogenesis-associated pathological conditions, such as cancer metastasis.

Degradation of phenol using Fe(II)-activated CaO2: effect of ball-milled activated carbon (ACBM) addition.

In-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) based on peroxide activation is one of the most promising technologies for removing organic contaminants from natural groundwater (NGW). However, use of the most common form of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is limited owing to its significantly rapid reaction rate and heat generation. Therefore, in the present study, the activation of calcium peroxide (CaO2), a slow H2O2 releasing agent, by Fe(II) was proposed (CaO2/Fe(II)), and the phenol degradation mechanisms and feasibility of NGW remediation were investigated. The optimum molar ratio of [phenol]/[CaO2]/[Fe(II)] (phenol = 0.5 mM) was 1/10/10, resulting in 87.0-92.5% phenol removal within 120 min under a broad initial pH range of 3-9. HCO3-, PO43-, and humic acid significantly inhibited degradation, whereas the effects of Cl-, NO3-, and SO42- were negligible. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were identified based on the results of phenol degradation in the presence of scavengers and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, which demonstrated that 1O2 played the dominant role, supported by •OH, in CaO2/Fe(II). Phenol removal in NGW (67.81%) was less than that in distilled and deionized water (DIW, 92.5%) at a [phenol]/[CaO2]/[Fe(II)] ratio of 1/10/10. However, phenol removal was significantly improved (∼100%) by increasing the CaO2 and Fe(II) doses to 1/20/20-40. Furthermore, when 125-250 mg L-1 of ball-milled activated carbon (ACBM) was added (CaO2/Fe(II)-ACBM), phenol removal was enhanced from 67.81% to 90.94-100% in the NGW. CaO2/Fe(II)-ACBM exhibited higher total organic carbon (TOC) removal than CaO2/Fe(II). In addition, no notable by-products were detected using CaO2/Fe(II)-ACBM, whereas the polymerisation products of hydroxylated and/or ring-cleaved compounds, that is, aconitic acid, gallocatechin, and 10-hydroxyaloin, were found in the reaction with CaO2/Fe(II). These results strongly suggest that CaO2/Fe(II)-ACBM is highly promising for groundwater remediation, minimizing degradation byproducts and the adverse effects caused by the NGW components.

Synthetic PPAR Agonist DTMB Alleviates Alzheimer's Disease Pathology by Inhibition of Chronic Microglial Inflammation in 5xFAD Mice.

Abnormal productions of amyloid beta (Aß) plaque and chronic neuroinflammation are commonly observed in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease, and both of which induce neuronal cell death, loss of memory, and cognitive dysfunction. However, many of the drugs targeting the production of Aß peptides have been unsuccessful in treating Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we identified synthetic novel peroxisome proliferator-activating receptor (PPAR) agonist, DTMB, which can ameliorate the chronic inflammation and Aß pathological progression of Alzheimer's disease. We discovered that DTMB attenuated the proinflammatory cytokine production of microglia by reducing the protein level of NF-κB. DTMB also improved the learning and memory defects and reduced the amount of Aß plaque in the brain of 5xFAD mice. This reduction in Aß pathology was attributed to the changes in gliosis and chronic inflammation level. Additionally, bulk RNA-sequencing showed that genes related to inflammation and cognitive function were changed in the hippocampus and cortex of DTMB-treated mice. Our findings demonstrate that DTMB has the potential to be a novel therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease.

Beyond dumping: New strategies in the separation of preservative salt from tannery waste mixed salt and its reuse for tannery industrial application.

The tannery effluent treatment plants produce tonnes of waste in the form of mixed salts containing sodium chloride, sulfate, calcium, and magnesium salts. Disposal of these mixed salts may create an environmental problem. The proposed method broadly consists of the separation of sodium chloride from reverse osmosis (RO) reject and raw-hide waste salt (preservative salt) of the tannery. This study used the physicochemical method to treat waste salt from tannery industrial waste. The addition of sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate improved calcium and magnesium removal efficiency in the RO reject and preservative waste salts. The optimization of the sodium salt of hydroxide and carbonate is very important to remove an unwanted substance from waste salt. The sodium chloride was recovered, and the purity was about >98% which was successfully reused as preservative salt as well as in the pickling process in the tannery industry.

Highly efficient degradation of phenolic compounds by Fe(II)-activated dual oxidant (persulfate/calcium peroxide) system.

This study demonstrates the feasibility, reaction mechanisms, and potential of practical applications of a dual oxidant (DuOx) system comprising calcium peroxide (CP) and persulfate (PS) catalyzed using Fe(II) [PS/CP/Fe(II)]. The DuOx system was superior in phenol degradation to single oxidant systems, i.e., PS/Fe(II) or CP/Fe(II), with 95.5% phenol removal under an optimum condition of a phenol/PS/CP/Fe(II) molar ratio of 1/1/5/6 ([Phenol]0=0.5 mM). Based on scavenger studies and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, the phenol removal in the DuOx system was barrierless, with negative activation energy assisted by robust reactive species. The phenol degradation results in the presence of methanol, t-butanol, l-histidine, and NaN3. The ESR spectroscopy indicates that phenol degradation is attributed dominantly to 1O2 generated by recombining O2•- and radicals, such as hydroxyl (HO•) and sulfate (SO4•-). The performance of the DuOx system was highly efficient in pH 3-11, up to 10 mM Cl-, SO42-, or NO3-, and up to 50 mg/L humic acids but was strongly suppressed by more than 10 mM HCO3- and H2PO4-. In addition, the DuOx system was efficient in phenol removal in natural groundwater as well as removing and mineralizing other phenolic compounds (PCs) such as bisphenol A, chlorophenol, dichlorophenol, trichlorophenol, and nitrophenol. These results provide insights into the reactions induced by the DuOx system and confirm its applicability of in situ chemical oxidation in refractory organic pollutants.

PTK7, a Catalytically Inactive Receptor Tyrosine Kinase, Increases Oncogenic Phenotypes in Xenograft Tumors of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma KYSE-30 Cells.

Protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7), a catalytically defective receptor protein tyrosine kinase, is upregulated in tumor tissues and cell lines of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We showed that PTK7 plays an oncogenic role in various ESCC cell lines. However, its role as an oncogene has not been demonstrated in vivo. Here, we examined the influence of PTK7 on the tumorigenic potential of ESCC KYSE-30 cells, which are known to establish xenograft tumors. Overexpression of PTK7 enhanced the proliferation, adhesion, wound healing, and migration of KYSE-30 cells, and these effects were reversed by the knockdown of PTK7. PTK7 overexpression and knockdown, respectively, increased and decreased the tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins and the phosphorylation of ERK, AKT, and FAK, which are important for cell proliferation, survival, adhesion, and migration. Additionally, PTK7 overexpression and silencing, respectively, increased and decreased the weight, volume, and number of Ki-67-positive proliferating cells in xenograft tumors of KYSE-30 cells. Therefore, we propose that PTK7 plays an important role in the tumorigenesis of ESCC cells in vivo and is a potential therapeutic target for ESCC.

Remediation of phenol contaminated soil using persulfate activated by ball-milled colloidal activated carbon.

The degradation of phenolic compounds through persulfate (PS) activation is a valuable approach for soil/groundwater remediation. Several reports have been made related to PS activation and contaminant degradation using carbo-catalysts; however, there is no detailed study on soil remediation by colloidal activated carbon. This study demonstrates the phenol (PhOH) degradation efficiency in spiked and field-contaminated soils by a novel and low-cost ball-milled colloidal activated carbon (CACBM) catalyst. The CACBM/PS system exhibited outstanding degradation performance for PhOH in both spiked and field-contaminated soils. Optimum condition for degradation of 5.63 mmol PhOH kg soil-1 was achieved at 2.5 mg CACBM g soil-1, 5 mM PS, and a solid-liquid ratio of 1:5 at 25 °C in the wide pH range of 3-11. Radical scavenger experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy revealed that both radical (•OH and SO4•-) and non-radical (1O2) species were involved in the CACBM/PS system. PhOH degradation in soil phase followed several degradation pathways, resulting in various intermediate byproducts such as acetic acid, maleic acid, p-benzoquinone, fumaric acid, and ferulic acid as analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectroscopy (UPLC-MS). The CACBM/PS system showed a promising potential in the remediation of organic-contaminated soil.

Colloidal activated carbon as a highly efficient bifunctional catalyst for phenol degradation.

A preparation of colloidal activated carbon (CAC) for phenol remediation from groundwater was introduced. The CAC prepared by a simple pulverization technique was an excellent metal-free catalyst for persulfate (PS) activation due to high contact surface area. The removal efficiency of phenol in the PS/CAC system (~100%) was higher than that in the PS/activated carbon (AC) system (90.1%) and was superior to the conventional PS/Fe2+ system (27.9%) within 30 min. The phenol removal reaction occurred both in bulk solution and at the surface of the CAC, as confirmed by Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) kinetic model fitting, FT-IR, and electron spin resonance (ESR) analyses. The downsizing of particle size from AC to CAC played a critical role in the radical oxidation mechanism by leading to the formation of predominant superoxide radical (O2•-) species in the PS/CAC system. Anions NO3-, SO42-, and Cl- slightly inhibited the phenol removal efficiency, whereas CO32-, HCO3- and PO43- did not. Ferulic acid (C10H10O4) was detected as an organic byproduct of phenol oxidation. The use of CAC as a metal-free bifunctional catalyst has an important implication in the PS activation for phenol degradation in groundwater.