Synthesis and characterization of waste commercially available polyacrylonitrile fiber-based new composites for efficient removal of uranyl from U(VI)-CO3 solutions.

The existing species of uranium determines the design of novel sorbents towards uranium extraction from the natural waters. Herein, three composites based on waste commercially available polyacrylonitrile fiber (WPANF), namely WPANF/TiO2·xH2O, WPANF/CTAB-bentonite, and WPANF/NZVI, were first prepared and employed for the removal of U(VI) from the carbonate coexisted aqueous solutions. Among them, the WPANF/TiO2·xH2O exhibited the optimum sorption capacity of ~40.6 mg·g-1 (pH 8.0, C0 = 50 mg·L-1, and [CO3]Total = 2 mmol·L-1), which is significantly greater than the WPANF/CTAB-bentonite (~12.6 mg·g-1) and WPANF/NZVI (~10.3 mg·g-1). All sorption capacities decreased with the increases of initial pH, [NaCl], and [CO3]Total, due to the species transformation from UO2(CO3)22- and (UO2)2CO3(OH)3- to UO2(CO3)34- that enhanced the electrostatic repulsion and the competitive sorption. The XPS analysis and DFT calculations indicated that in the composites, WPANF was a role in strengthening the mechanical properties of composites rather than the main sorption sites for uranyl carbonates. The sorption mechanisms were mainly involved in -OH group coordination, Br- anions exchanges, and redox reactions. Desorption, reusability and U(VI) sorption test in the simulated seawater demonstrated that WPANF/TiO2·xH2O could be an alternative candidate for acquiring uranium resource. This work has screened the potential composites for U(VI) extraction from the natural waters, especially based on the practical U(VI) speciation, and provides a novel research approach for the removal of U(VI) towards U(VI)-CO3 systems.

Recombinant human lactoferrin enhances the efficacy of triple therapy in mice infected with Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a life-threatening pathogen which causes chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers and even stomach cancer. Treatment normally involves bacterial eradication; however, this type of treatment only has a rate of effectiveness of <80%. Thus, it is a matter of some urgency to develop new therapeutic strategies. Lactoferrin, a member of the transferrin family of iron-binding proteins, has been proven to be effective in removing a vast range of pathogens, including H. pylori. In the present study, we examined the effectiveness of recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLf) isolated from transgenic goats as a treatment for H. pylori in vitro and in vivo. For the in vivo experiments, BALB/c mice received an intragastric administration of 0.1 ml of a suspension of H. pylori. The mice were then divided into 4 groups: group A, treated with saline; group B, treated with 1.5 g of rhLF; group C, treated with the standard triple therapy regimen; and group D, treated with the standard triple therapy regimen plus.5 g of rhLF. Following sacrifice, the stomach tissues of the mice were histologically examined for the presence of bacteria. For the in vitro experiments, the bacteria were cultured in BHI broth and RT-qPCR and western blot analysis were carried out to determine the mRNA and protein levels of virulence factors (CagA and VacA) in the cultures. Our results revealed that rhLf not only inhibited the growth of H. pylori, but also suppressed the expression of two major virulence factors. Moreover, rhLf markedly increased bacterial eradication and effectively reduced the inflammatory response when combined with the standard triple therapy regimen. These results provide evidence supporting the use of rhLF as an adjuvant to traditional therapeutic strategies in the treatment of H. pylori.