AST-120 (spherical carbon adsorbent) lowers ammonia levels and attenuates brain edema in bile duct-ligated rats

The pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy is multifactorial, involving gut-derived toxins such as ammonia, which has been demonstrated to induce oxidative stress. Therefore, a primary hepatic encephalopathy treatment target is reducing ammonia production in the gastrointestinal tract. AST-120, an oral adsorbent of engineered activated carbon microspheres with surface areas exceeding 1600 m(2) /g, acts as a sink for neurotoxins and hepatotoxins present in the gut. We evaluated the capacity of AST-120 to adsorb ammonia in vitro and to lower blood ammonia, oxidative stress and brain edema in cirrhotic rats. Cirrhosis was induced in rats by bile duct ligation for 6 weeks. AST-120 was administered by gavage preventively for 6 weeks (0.1, 1, and 4 g/kg/day). In addition, AST-120 was evaluated as a short-term treatment for 2 weeks and 3 days (1 g/kg/day) and as a sink to adsorb intravenously infused ammonium acetate. In vitro, AST-120 efficiently adsorbed ammonia. Ammonia levels significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner for all AST-120-treated bile duct-ligated rats (nontreated: 177.3 ± 30.8 μM; AST-120, 0.1 g/kg/day: 121.9 ± 13.8 μM; AST-120, 1 g/kg/day: 80.9 ± 30.0 μM; AST-120, 4 g/kg/day: 48.8 ± 19.6 μM) and significantly correlated with doses of AST-120 (r = -0.6603). Brain water content and locomotor activity normalized after AST-120 treatments, whereas arterial reactive oxygen species levels remained unchanged. Furthermore, AST-120 significantly attenuated a rise in arterial ammonia after ammonium acetate administration (intravenously). Conclusion:AST-120 treatment decreased arterial ammonia levels, normalized brain water content and locomotor activity but did not demonstrate an effect on systemic oxidative stress. Also, AST-120 acts as an ammonia sink, efficiently removing blood-derived ammonia. Additional studies are warranted to evaluate the effects of AST-120 on hepatic encephalopathy in patients with advanced liver disease. (HEPATOLOGY 2011;).

Development of magnetic carbon xerogels for catalytic wet peroxide oxidation

Hybrid magnetic carbon composites have been recently proposed as the next step in the evolution of catalysts for catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO), with several synergistic effects arising from the combination of the high catalytic activity of metal species with the proven catalytic properties of carbon-based materials in CWPO [1]. Bearing this in mind, this work sought the development of novel magnetic carbon xerogels, composed by interconnected carbon microspheres with iron (Fe) and/or cobalt (Co) microparticles embedded in their structure. As inferred from the extensive characterization performed, materials with distinctive properties were obtained upon inclusion of different metal precursors during the sol-gel polymerization of resorcinol and formaldehyde, followed by thermal annealing.

Magnetic carbon xerogels for the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of sulfamethoxazole in environmentally relevant water matrices

Novel magnetic carbon xerogels consisting of interconnected carbon microspheres with iron and/or cobalt microparticles embedded in their structure were developed by a simple route. As inferred from the characterization data, materials with distinctive properties may be directly obtained upon inclusion of iron and/or cobalt precursors during the sol-gel polymerization of resorcinol and formaldehyde, followed by thermal annealing. The unique properties of these magnetic carbon xerogels were explored in the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) of an antimicrobial agent typically found throughout the urban water cycle – sulfamethoxazole (SMX). A clear synergistic effect arises from the inclusion of cobalt and iron in carbon xerogels (CX/CoFe),the resulting magnetic material revealing a better performance in the CWPO of SMX at the ppb level(500 microg L−1) when compared to that of monometallic carbon xerogels containing only iron or cobalt.This effect was ascribed to the increased accessibility of highly active iron species promoted by the simultaneous incorporation of cobalt.The performance of the CWPO process in the presence of CX/CoFe was also evaluated in environmentally relevant water matrices, namely in drinking water and secondary treated wastewater, considered in addition to ultrapure water. It was found that the performance decreases when applied to more complex water and wastewater samples. Nevertheless, the ability of the CWPO technology for the elimination of SMX in secondary treated wastewater was unequivocally shown, with 96.8% of its initial content being removed after 6 h of reaction in the presence of CX/CoFe, at atmospheric pressure, room temperature(T = 25◦C), pH = 3, [H2O2]0= 500 mg L−1and catalyst load = 80 mg L−1. A similar performance (97.8% SMX removal) is obtained in 30 min when the reaction temperature is slightly increased up to 60◦C in an ultra-pure water matrix. Synthetic water containing humic acid, bicarbonate, sulphate or chloride, was also tested. The results suggest the scavenging effect of the different anions considered, as well as the negative impact of dissolved organic matter typically found in secondary treated wastewater, as simulated by the presence of humic acid.An in-situ magnetic separation procedure was applied for catalyst recovery and re-use during reusability cycles performed to mimic real-scale applications. CWPO runs performed with increased SMX concentration (10 mg L−1), under a water treatment process intensification approach, allowed to evalu-ate the mineralization levels obtained, the antimicrobial activity of the treated water, and to propose adegradation mechanism for the CWPO of SMX.

Increased brain lactate is central to the development of brain edema in rats with chronic liver disease

The pathogenesis of brain edema in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and minimal hepatic encephalopathy (HE) remains undefined. This study evaluated the role of brain lactate, glutamine and organic osmolytes, including myo-inositol and taurine, in the development of brain edema in a rat model of cirrhosis.Six-week bile-duct ligated (BDL) rats were injected with (13)C-glucose and de novo synthesis of lactate, and glutamine in the brain was quantified using (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Total brain lactate, glutamine, and osmolytes were measured using (1)H NMR or high performance liquid chromatography. To further define the interplay between lactate, glutamine and brain edema, BDL rats were treated with AST-120 (engineered activated carbon microspheres) and dichloroacetate (DCA: lactate synthesis inhibitor).Significant increases in de novo synthesis of lactate (1.6-fold, p<0.001) and glutamine (2.2-fold, p<0.01) were demonstrated in the brains of BDL rats vs. SHAM-operated controls. Moreover, a decrease in cerebral myo-inositol (p<0.001), with no change in taurine, was found in the presence of brain edema in BDL rats vs. controls. BDL rats treated with either AST-120 or DCA showed attenuation in brain edema and brain lactate. These two treatments did not lead to similar reductions in brain glutamine.Increased brain lactate, and not glutamine, is a primary player in the pathogenesis of brain edema in CLD. In addition, alterations in the osmoregulatory response may also be contributing factors. Our results suggest that inhibiting lactate synthesis is a new potential target for the treatment of HE.

Syntheses of opened hollow clay microspheres through a spray-drying approach and their derivative clay/carbon nanotubes composites

Opened hollow microspheres of organoclays were prepared via spray drying the suspension of modified Na+-montmorillonite (Na+-MMT) with alkylsulfonate. The microstructure and thermal properties of these opened hollow spheres were characterized by means of wide-angle X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that the organoclays had larger interlayer spacing compared with pure Na+-MMT and higher thermal stability relative to the alkylsufonate.

3D Fe3S4 flower-like microspheres: high-yield synthesis via a biomolecule-assisted solution approach, their electrical, magnetic and electrochemical hydrogen storage properties

Well-defined 3D Fe3S4 flower-like microspheres were synthesized via a simple biomolecule-assisted hydrothermal process for the first time. On the basis of a series of contrast experiments, the probable growth mechanism and fabrication process of the products were proposed. The electrical conductivity property of the as-synthesized Fe3S4 sample exhibited a rectifying characteristic when a forward bias was applied for the bottom-contacted device. The magnetic properties of the products were studied as well and the results demonstrated that the products presented ferromagnetic properties related to the corresponding microstructure. In addition, we first verified that the Fe3S4 flower-like microspheres could store hydrogen electrochemically, and a discharge capacity of 214 mA h g(-1) was measured without any activation under normal atmospheric conditions at room temperature.

Facile Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of Highly Uniform MF/YVO4:Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Dy, and Sm) Composite Microspheres

Uniform MF/YVO4:Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Dy, and Sm) composite microspheres have been prepared via a simple and economical wet-chemical route at ambient pressure and low temperature. Monodisperse micrometer-sized melamine formaldehyde (MF) colloidal particles were first fabricated by a condensation process of melamine with formaldehyde. Subsequently, well-dispersed YVO4 nanoparticles were successfully grown onto the MF microspheres to form core-shell structured composite particles in aqueous Solution. The as-obtained composite microspheres with perfect spherical shape are uniform in size and distribution, and the thickness and roughness of the YVO4 shells on MF cores could be tuned by varying the reaction temperature. The MF/YVO4:Ln(3+) composite phosphors show strong light emissions with different colors coming from different activator ions under ultraviolet excitation, which might find potential applications in fields such as light phosphor powders and advanced flat panel displays.

General and Facile Method To Prepare Uniform Y2O3:Eu Hollow Microspheres

Well-shaped Y2O3:Eu hollow microspheres have been successfully prepared on a large scale via a urea-based homogeneous precipitation technique in the presence of colloidal carbon spheres as hard templates followed by a subsequent heat treatment process. XRD results demonstrate that all the diffraction peaks of the samples can be well indexed to the pure cubic phase Of Y2O3. TEM and SEM images indicate that the shell of the uniform hollow spheres, whose diameters are about 250 nm, is composed of many uniform nanoparticles with diameters of about 20 nm, basically consistent with the estimation of XRD results. Furthermore, the main process in this method was carried out in aqueous condition, without the use of organic solvents or etching agents. The as-prepared hollow Y2O3:Eu microspheres show a strong red emission corresponding to the D-5(0)-F-7(2) transition of the Eu3+ ions under ultraviolet or low voltage excitation, which might find potential applications in fields such as light phosphor powders, advanced flat panel displays, field emission display devices, and biological labeling.

The impacts of replacing air bubbles with microspheres for the clarification of algae from low cell-density culture

Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) is a well-known coagulation-flotation system applied at large scale for microalgae harvesting. Compared to conventional harvesting technologies DAF allows high cell recovery at lower energy demand. By replacing microbubbles with microspheres, the innovative Ballasted Dissolved Air Flotation (BDAF) technique has been reported to achieve the same algae cell removal efficiency, while saving up to 80% of the energy required for the conventional DAF unit. Using three different algae cultures (Scenedesmus obliquus, Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira maxima), the present work investigated the practical, economic and environmental advantages of the BDAF system compared to the DAF system. 99% cells separation was achieved with both systems, nevertheless, the BDAF technology allowed up to 95% coagulant reduction depending on the algae species and the pH conditions adopted. In terms of floc structure and strength, the inclusion of microspheres in the algae floc generated a looser aggregate, showing a more compact structure within single cell alga, than large and filamentous cells. Overall, BDAF appeared to be a more reliable and sustainable harvesting system than DAF, as it allowed equal cells recovery reducing energy inputs, coagulant demand and carbon emissions. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

Electrochemical performance of carbon gels with variable surface chemistry and physics

This study describes the electrochemical characterization of N-doped carbon xerogels in the form of microspheres and of carbon aerogels with varied porosities and surface oxygen complexes. The interfacial capacitance of N-doped carbon xerogels decreased with increased micropore surface area as determined by N2 adsorption at −196 °C. The interfacial capacitance showed a good correlation with the areal NXPS concentration, and the best correlation with the areal concentration of pyrrolic or pyridonic nitrogen functionalities. The gravimetric capacitance decreased with greater xerogel microsphere diameter. The interfacial capacitance of carbon aerogels increased with higher percentage of porosity as determined from particle and true densities. The interfacial capacitance showed a linear relationship with the areal oxygen concentration and with the areal concentrations of CO- and CO2-evolving groups.