The removal of selenite and cadmium by immobilized biospheres: Efficiency, mechanisms and bacterial community.

In this study, a complex bacterial consortium was enriched from a typical Pb-Zn mine area and immobilized by sodium alginate to form biospheres, which were used for treatment of selenite (Se(IV))- and cadmium (Cd(II))-containing wastewater without external carbon source. Batch experiments showed that the maximum Se(IV) removal efficiency was 92.36% under the optimal conditions of an initial pH of 5, dosage of 5 g/L, initial Se(IV) concentration of 7.9 mg/L and reaction time of 168 h. Subsequently, more than 99% of 11.2 mg/L Cd(II) was removed by the biospheres within 10 h. Physicochemical characterization showed that reduction and adsorption were the main mechanisms for Se(IV) and Cd(II) removal, respectively. During the removal process, selenium and CdSe nanoparticles were formed. Bacterial community analysis showed the dominant bacterial genera changed after treatment of Se(IV)- and Cd(II)-containing wastewater. Additionally, 16S rRNA gene function prediction results showed that amino acid transport, carbohydrate transport, ion transport and metabolism were the dominant gene functions. The present study provides a potential way for the biological treatment of Se(IV)- and Cd(II)-containing wastewater using immobilized biospheres without external carbon source in short-term.

Construction of g-C3N4/Ag/TiO2 Z-scheme photocatalyst and Its improved photocatalytic U(VI) reduction application in water.

The reduction of soluble U(VI) to insoluble U(IV) by photocatalytic technology is considered to be a valid method to remove U(VI) from water. Herein, g-C3N4/Ag/TiO2 Z-scheme heterojunction was synthesized for photocatalytic U(VI) reduction application. The SEM, XRD and XPS characterization results showed that a ternary g-C3N4/Ag/TiO2 composite photocatalyst was synthesized successfully. g-C3N4/Ag/TiO2 exhibited excellent photocatalytic reduction performance for U(VI) under visible light irradiation. After 30 min irradiation, the removal rate of U(VI) was above 99%. XPS indicated that the majority of U(VI) on the surface of g-C3N4/Ag/TiO2 was reduced to U(IV). In addition, the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4/Ag/TiO2 has been kept significantly after five rounds of experiments, indicating good stability. g-C3N4/Ag/TiO2 exhibited better photocatalytic reduction of U(VI) under visible light irradiation, which is mainly ascribed to Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism assisted by the LSPR effect (Local Surface Plasmon Resonance). Ag with plasmon resonance effect on the loading has a strong absorption of photon energy. In addition, an intermediate charge transfer channel is formed between Ag and the semiconductor to inhibit the combination of photogenerated electrons and holes, resulting in a significant increase in the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst. This idea has some significance in design of other composite photocatalytic systems.

Enhanced indigenous consortia for the remediation of uranium-contaminated groundwater by bioaugmentation: Reducing and phosphate-solubilizing consortia.

To investigate the strengthening effects and mechanisms of bioaugmentation on the microbial remediation of uranium-contaminated groundwater via bioreduction coupled to biomineralization, two exogenous microbial consortia with reducing and phosphate-solubilizing functions were screened and added to uranium-contaminated groundwater as the experimental groups (group B, reducing consortium added; group C, phosphate-solubilizing consortium added). ß-glycerophosphate (GP) was selected to stimulate the microbial community as the sole electron donor and phosphorus source. The results showed that bioaugmentation accelerated the consumption of GP and the proliferation of key functional microbes in groups B and C. In group B, Dysgonomonas, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_11 and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_13 were the main reducing bacteria, and Paenibacillus was the main phosphate-solubilizing bacteria. In group C, the microorganisms that solubilized phosphate were mainly unclassified_f_Enterobacteriaceae. Additionally, bioaugmentation promoted the formation of unattached precipitates and alleviated the inhibitory effect of cell surface precipitation on microbial metabolism. As a result, the formation rate of U-phosphate precipitates and the removal rates of aqueous U(VI) in both groups B and C were elevated significantly after bioaugmentation. The U(VI) removal rate was poor in the control group (group A, with only an indigenous consortium). Propionispora, Sporomusa and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_11 may have played an important role in the removal of uranium in group A. Furthermore, the addition of a reducing consortium promoted the reduction of U(VI) to U(IV), and immobilized uranium existed in the form of U(IV)-phosphate and U(VI)-phosphate precipitates in group B. In contrast, U was present mainly as U(VI)-phosphate precipitates in groups A and C. Overall, bioaugmentation with an exogenous consortium resulted in the rapid removal of uranium from groundwater and the formation of U-phosphate minerals and served as an effective strategy for improving the treatment of uranium-contaminated groundwater in situ.

Biomimetic synthesis of polydopamine-graphene oxide/hydroxyapatite for efficient and fast uranium(VI) capture from aqueous solution.

A novel and efficient mesoporous nano-absorbent for U(VI) removal was developed through an environment-friendly route by inducing the biomimetic mineralization of hydroxyapatite (HAP) on the bioinspired surface of polydopamine-graphene oxide (PDA-GO). PDA-GO/HAP exhibited the greatly rapid and efficient U(VI) removal within 2 min, and much higher U(VI) adsorption capacity of 433.07 mg·g-1 than that of GO and PDA-GO. The enhanced adsorption capacity was mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of O-H, -C=N-, and PO43- functional groups and the incorporation of uranyl ions by the formation of a new phase (chernikovite, H2(UO2)2(PO4)2·8H2O). The adsorption process of U(VI) fitted well with pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm model. Moreover, PDA-GO/HAP showed a high U(VI) adsorption capacity in a broad range of pH values and owned good thermal stability. PDA-GO/HAP with various excellent properties made it a greatly promising adsorbent for extracting uranium. Our work developed a good strategy for constructing fast and efficient uranium-adsorptive biomimetic materials.

Efficient uranium(VI) adsorbing bioinspired nano-sized hydroxyapatite composites: synthesis, tuning, and adsorption mechanism.

The production of large amounts of uranium-containing wastewater and its potential hazards has stimulated green and efficient material removal of uranium (VI). Inspired by the natural mineralization of bone, a facile and eco-friendly biomimetic synthesis of nano-hydroxyapatite (HAP) was carried out using chitosan (CS) as a template. It was found that the reaction temperature and the amount of precursors influence the particle size, crystallinity and specific surface area of the CS/HAP nanorods, and consequently their U(VI) adsorption efficiency. Moreover, the synthesized CS/HAP-40 with smaller particle size, lower crystallinity, and larger specific surface area show a more efficient U(VI) removal compared with CS/HAP-55 and CS/HAP-55-AT. It has a maximum adsorption capacity of 294.12 mg·g-1 of the CS/HAP-40. Interestingly, the U(VI) removal mechanism of CS/HAP-40 in acidic (pH = 3) and alkaline (pH = 8) aqueous solutions was found to be different. As one of the main results, the U(VI) adsorption mechanisms at pH 8 could be surface complexation and ion exchange. On the contrary, three different mechanisms could be observed at pH 3: dissolution-precipitation to form chernikovite, surface complexation, and ion exchange.

Correlations of podocyte injury with glucose regulated protein 78 expression and proteinuria in patients with diabetic nephropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the podocyte injury in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and analyze its relationship with glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and proteinuria. METHODS: The clinical data of 48 patients diagnosed as DN by renal biopsy were reviewed. All patients were divided into two groups according to proteinuria (>3.5 g/d, n=31 and 3.5 g/d, n=17). The density of podocytes was illustrated by immunohistochemistry staining of Wilms tumor-1 (WT-1), and the immunofluorescence double-staining results of synaptopodin and GRP78 in podocytes were detected. RESULTS: The podocyte dentistry of urine protein > 3.5 g/d group was significantly lower than that of urine protein>3.5 g/d group urine protein<3.5 g/d group(P=0.003), and it was negatively correlated with proteinuria (P=0.005). The expressions of synaptopodin and GRP78 in podocytes were also negatively correlated with proteinuria (P=0.004 and P=0.001). CONCLUSION: The podocyte injury is aggravated with increased proteinuria in DN patients, along with the decrease of the adaptive ability of endoplasmic reticulum to stress.

[Effects of rapamycin on cholesterol homeostasis and secretory function of 3T3-L1 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of rapamycin on cholesterol homeostasis and secretory function of 3T3-L1 cells. METHODS: The in vitro cultured 3T3-L1 cells (preadipocytes) were divided into control group, rapamycin 50 nmol/L group, rapamycin 100 nmol/L group, and rapamycin 200 nmol/L group. Intracellular cholesterol level was measured by oil red O staining and high performance liquid chromatography. The secretion levels of leptin and adiponectin were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA and protein expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARgamma) were assayed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. RESULTS: Oil red O staining showed rapamycin down-regulated 3T3-L1 cells differentiation and lipid accumulation. Quantitative measurement of cholesterol with high performance liquid chromatography showed that the concentrations of free cholesterol in rapamycin treatment groups had a significant reduction. The concentrations of free cholesterol in the control group, rapamycin 50 nmol/L group, rapamycin 100 nmol/L group, and rapamycin 200 nmol/L group were (12.89 +/- 0.16), (9.84 +/- 0.45), (9.39 +/- 0.46), and (8.61 +/- 0.34) mg/ml, respectively (P < 0.05), and the concentrations of total cholesterol were (12.91 +/- 0.50), (9.94 +/- 0.96), (10.45 +/- 2.51), and (9.53 +/- 0.63) mg/ml, respectively. The leptin concentrations in the control group, rapamycin 50 nmol/L group, rapamycin 100 nmol/L group, and rapamycin 200 nmol/L group were (19.02 +/- 0.52), (16.98 +/- 0.11), (15.62 +/- 0.01), and (13.84 +/- 0.66) ng/ml, respectively. The mRNA expressions of PPARgamma in the rapamycin 50 nmol/L group, rapamycin 100 nmol/L group, and rapamycin 200 nmol/L group were significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). The protein expressions of PPARgamma in the rapamycin 50 nmol/L group, rapamycin 100 nmol/L group, and rapamycin 200 nmol/L group were 80%, 74%, and 61% of that in control group (P < 0.05). After the cells were treated with rapamycin 100 nmol/L, PPARgamma blocking agent GW9662 10 micromol/L, and PPARgamma agonist troglitazone 10 micromol/L, respectively, for 96 hours, the mRNA expression of PPARgamma was (0.60 +/- 0.14), (0.67 +/- 0.03), and (1.30 +/- 0.14) of that in control group (P < 0.05). The protein expression showed a similar trend with mRNA expression (P < 0.05). After the cells were treated with rapamycin 100 nmol/L, PPARgamma blocking agent GW9662 10 micromol/L, and PPARgamma agonist troglitazone 10 micromol/L, respectively, for 96 hours, the expression of leptin in the control group, rapamycin 50 nmol/L group, rapamycin 100 nmol/L group, and rapamycin 200 nmol/L group was (19.02 +/- 0.52), (15.62 +/- 0.10), and (14.45 +/- 1.01) and (18.07 +/- 0.66) ng/ml, respectively (P < 0.05 compared with the control group). CONCLUSIONS: By downregulating the expression of PPARgamma, rapamycin can decrease cholesterol accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells and inhibit its leptin-secreting capability. This finding may provide a possible explanation for rapamycin-induced hyperlipidemia in clinical practice.

Synthesis of g-C3N4/TiO2 nanostructures for enhanced photocatalytic reduction of U(vi) in water.

Photocatalytic technology is a valid solution for the remediation of wastewater containing uranium. In this study, the synthesis of Z-scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 catalysts was made by a thermal synthetic approach for photocatalytic U(vi) reduction. The characterization results revealed the successful synthesis of g-C3N4/TiO2 nanostructures. The g-C3N4 surface was uniformly coated with TiO2 nanoparticles. The depletion of U(vi) in water evaluated the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4/TiO2 under UV light irradiation. The photocatalytic tests showed that g-C3N4/TiO2 exhibited more effective photocatalytic activity than the raw materials (1.64 and 56.97 times higher than TiO2(P25) and g-C3N4, respectively). Besides, a pseudo-first-order model was followed by the experimental kinetic data for the photocatalytic process. Moreover, g-C3N4/TiO2 still presented high photocatalytic activity after four reacting cycles. Based on these experiment results, the improved photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the Z-scheme mechanism, which decreased the recombination of photo-produced electrons and holes. The synthesis of these g-C3N4/TiO2 nanomaterials provides a facile and inexpensive method for treating wastewater containing U(vi).

Investigation of a modified metal-organic framework UiO-66 with nanoscale zero-valent iron for removal of uranium (VI) from aqueous solution.

A novel composite material (nZVI/UiO-66) of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) with a functionalized metal-organic framework was synthesized by this study via a coprecipitation method, which was used for the efficient removal of U(VI) in the aqueous solution. The nZVI/UiO-66 had an excellent removal capacity of 404.86 mg g-1 with an initial U(VI) concentration of 80 mg L-1, 313 K and pH = 6. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that nZVI particles were inhomogeneously distributed on the surface of UiO-66. The analysis by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) has further illustrated that the introduction of nZVI did not change the structure of UiO-66. The adsorption process closely followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic and the Freundlich isotherm model. The removal process of U(VI) by nZVI/UiO-66 was spontaneous and endothermic. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses have illustrated that the mechanism was mainly related to adsorption of U(VI) from UiO-66 and reduction of U(VI) by nZVI. The Zr-O bonds were shown to play a vital role in the uranium removal. nZVI/UiO-66 could be recycled. The uptake rate could be maintained at around 80% after 5 cycles of use. Therefore, these results manifested that the nZVI/UiO-66 is a promising sorbent for the efficient and selective removal of U(VI) in radioactive wastewaters.

[Efficiency and mechanism on reduction of U(VI) by sulfate reducing bacteria].

Under anaerobic conditions, the characteristics of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) were applied to reduce U(VI) under different temperature, pH values, U(VI) concentrations and coexisting ions. The results showed that the optimum reduction condition was the temperature 35 degrees C, pH 7.0 and U(VI) concentration 25 mg x L(-1). The maximum reduction capacity of SRB was 179.1 mg x g(-1). Mo(VI) or Ca2+ did not affect SRB on the reduction process of U(VI) under the concentration less than 5 g x L(-1), but they strongly inhibited the process under the concentration more than 20 g x L(-1). The main inhibition of Mo (VI) was physiological inhibition and the inhibition of Ca2+ was competitive inhibition through the stable complex formation, Ca-UO2-CO3. The results also showed that lag phase did not appear on the concentration of Ca2+ less than 5 g x L(-1), but the lag phase of 24 hours appeared on the concentration of Ca2+ more than 20 g x L(-1).