[Optimization of Dyeing Wastewater Treatment with New Eco-friendly Polysilicate Ferromanganese]

To improve the efficiency of the removal of dye wastewater, a new type of coagulant "polysilicate ferromanganese (PSFM)" has been synthesized using sodium silicate, ferrous sulfate, and potassium permanganate. Three dyes (direct red, disperse blue, and active yellow) were used for the coagulation tests. The effects of the alkalinity and turbidity on the performance of PSFM were studied. The experimental results show that PSFM performs well with respect to the coagulation of the direct red and disperse blue dyes. The color and TOC removal efficiencies reach 99.2%, 95.4% and 98.5%, and 93.8%, respectively. The coagulation performance is better than that of the conventional coagulants polysilicate iron (PSF), Al₂(SO₄)₃, and FeCl₃. The color and TOC removal rates of PSFM for the active yellow dye reach 56% and 51%, respectively. Turbidity has no significant effect on the coagulation efficiency of PSFM. The purification efficiency and alkalinity depend on the amount of dye to be removed. The best alkalinity for the direct red, disperse blue, and active yellow dyes is 50 mg·L^-1, 0 mg·L^-1, and 75 mg·L^-1, respectively. In addition, PSFM has been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The Zeta potentials of the mixed solutions and flocs during coagulation were also determined. The main indicators of PSFM coagulation are positively charged polynuclear complexes produced by hydrolysis of Fe⁺ and Mn⁺ and the bridging polymerization of polysilicon. The adsorption of hydrated manganese dioxide and hydroxyl oxide may also be included.

[Adsorption of Tetracycline on Simulated Suspended Particles in Water]

The mechanism of adsorption of a typical antibiotic (tetracycline, TC) on particles in the aquatic environment and the parameters affecting adsorption were investigated. Experiments were conducted to elucidate the effects of pH and various cation species with different concentrations. The results show that the adsorption of TC on particles is rapid during the first four hours in the mixing stage. The adsorption process becomes slow after the first four hours. The adsorption of TC on particles can be described well by a Langmuir equation. The maximum adsorption of TC on particles occurs at pH 4.5, however it is reduced by strongly acidic (pH<4) or alkaline (pH>9) conditions. Moreover, the adsorption process is also inhibited by various cations (e.g. Na⁺ and Ca²⁺) in the range of 0.0001-0.1 mol·L^-1 ionic concentrations. A special finding concerns Al³⁺ ions; at a low concentration of these ions (0-0.0001 mol·L^-1) the adsorption of TC on particles improves, whereas at increased concentrations the adsorption is weakened. In summary, an effective removal of the particles is critical to control TC pollution in natural waters because of the rapid adsorption of TC on particles.

Scutellarin Increases Cisplatin-Induced Apoptosis and Autophagy to Overcome Cisplatin Resistance in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer via ERK/p53 and c-met/AKT Signaling Pathways

Cisplatin, as the first-line anti-tumor agent, is widely used for treatment of a variety of malignancies including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the acquired resistance has been a major obstacle for the clinical application. Scutellarin is a active flavone extracted from Erigeron breviscapus Hand-Mazz that has been shown to exhibit anticancer activities on various types of tumors. Here, we reported that scutellarin was capable of sensitizing A549/DDP cells to cisplatin by enhancing apoptosis and autophagy. Mechanistic analyses indicated that cisplatin-induced caspase-3-dependent apoptosis was elevated in the presence of scutellarin through activating extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)-mediated p53 pathway. Furthermore, scutellarin also promoted cisplatin-induced cytotoxic autophagy, downregulated expression of p-AKT and c-met. Deficiency of c-met reduced p-AKT level, and inhibition of p-AKT or c-met improved autophagy in A549/DDP cells. Interestingly, loss of autophagy attenuated the synergism of this combination. In vivo, the co-treatment of cisplatin and scutellarin notably reduced the tumor size when compared with cisplatin treatment alone. Notably, scutellarin significantly reduced the toxicity generated by cisplatin in tumor-bearing mice. This study identifies the unique role of scutellarin in reversing cisplatin resistance through apoptosis and autophagy, and suggests that combined cisplatin and scutellarin might be a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with NSCLC.

Norcantharidin alone or in combination with crizotinib induces autophagic cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma by repressing c-Met-mTOR signaling

There is an urgent need for effective molecular therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Norcantharidin (NCTD), a demethylated derivative of cantharidin, reportedly exhibits anticancer activity against various types of tumors, including HCC, though the mechanisms involved remain largely unknown. Here, we report that NCTD reduces viability of human MHCC-97H (97H) and HepG2 HCC cells, and induces cell death by triggering high levels of autophagy. Moreover, a significant attenuation of tumor growth was observed after NCTD treatment of HepG2 tumors in vivo, and this effect was enhanced by co-treatment with the c-Met inhibitor crizotinib. Interestingly, western blot analyses showed that the cytotoxic autophagy induced by NCTD correlates with a reduction in the phosphorylation status of both c-Met and m-TOR. These results suggest that cytotoxic autophagy resulting from inhibition of c-Met/mTOR signaling may be achieved in HCC by combined NCTD and crizotinib administration. Further studies to validate the therapeutic potential of this approach are warranted.

MiR-218-targeting-Bmi-1 mediates the suppressive effect of 1,6,7-trihydroxyxanthone on liver cancer cells

Traditional Chinese medicine is recently emerged as anti-cancer therapy or adjuvant with reduced side-effects and improved quality of life. In the present study, an active ingredient, 1,6,7-trihydroxyxanthone (THA), derived from Goodyera oblongifolia was found to strongly suppress cell growth and induce apoptosis in liver cancer cells. MicroRNAs are a group of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at post-transcriptional levels. Our results demonstrated that miR-218 was up-regulated and oncogene Bmi-1 was down-regulated by THA treatment. Further investigation showed that THA-induced-miR-218 up-regulation could lead to activation of tumor suppressor P16(Ink4a) and P14(ARF), the main down-stream targets of Bmi-1. In conclusion, THA might be a potential anti-cancer drug candidate, at least in part, through the activation of miR-218 and suppression of Bmi-1 expression.

Characterization of a Synthetic Steroid 24-keto-cholest-5-en-3β, 19-diol as a Neuroprotectant

BACKGROUND

Neuroactive steroids represent promising candidates for the treatment of neurological disorders. Our previous studies identified an endogenous steroid cholestane-3β, 5α, 6β-triol (Triol) as a novel neuroprotectant.

AIM

We aimed to identify a potent candidate for stroke treatment through a screening of Triol analogs.

METHODS

Hypoxia- and glutamate-induced neuronal injury models in vitro, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced cerebral ischemia model in vivo, fluorescein diacetate (FDA) for alive and propidium iodide (PI) for dead staining, LDH assay, and calcium imaging techniques were used.

RESULTS

24-keto-cholest-5-en-3β, 19-diol (Diol) showed the most potent neuroprotective effect among the screened structurally related compounds. FDA and PI staining showed that Diol concentration dependently increased the survival rate of cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) challenged with glutamate or hypoxia, with an effective threshold concentration of 2.5 μM. Consistently, the quantitative LDH release assay showed the same concentration-dependent protection in both models. Diol, at 10 μM, potently decreased glutamate- and hypoxia-induced LDH release from 51.6 to 18.2% and 62.1 to 21.7%, respectively, which values are close to the normal LDH release (~16-18%). Moreover, we found Diol effectively decreased MCAO-induced infarction volume in mice from ~23% to 7%, at a dose of 6 mg/kg. We further explored the underlying mechanism and found that Diol attenuated NMDA-induced intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+) ]i ) increase in cortical neurons, suggesting a negative modulatory effect on NMDA receptor.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, we identified Diol as a potent neuroprotectant. It may represent a novel and promising neuroprotectant for stroke intervention.

IL-1 beta inhibits IFN-gamma-induced class II MHC expression by suppressing transcription of the class II transactivator gene

Class II MHC Ags are critical for the initiation of immune responses by presenting Ag to T lymphocytes, leading to their activation and differentiation. The transcriptional activation of class II MHC genes requires the induction of the class II transactivator (CIITA) protein, a master regulator that is essential for both constitutive and IFN-gamma-inducible class II MHC expression. The cytokine IL-1beta has been shown to inhibit IFN-gamma-induced class II MHC expression in various cell types. We investigated the underlying mechanism of this inhibitory effect of IL-1beta using human astroglioma cell lines. Our findings demonstrate that IL-1beta prevents the expression of class II MHC mRNA and protein upon treatment with IFN-gamma. Furthermore, we demonstrate that IFN-gamma induction of CIITA mRNA expression is inhibited by treatment of cells with IL-1beta. IL-1beta suppressed IFN-gamma activation of the type IV CIITA promoter in astroglioma cells, indicating that the inhibitory influence of IL-1beta is mediated by inhibition of CIITA transcription. IL-1beta did not interfere with IFN-gamma receptor signal transduction, since tyrosine phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and DNA binding of STAT-1alpha to an IFN-gamma activation sequence of the type IV CIITA promoter were not affected by IL-1beta. As well, IL-1beta treatment did not affect the ability of IFN-gamma-induced interferon-regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) to bind the IRF-1 element within the type IV CIITA promoter. This study suggests that IL-1beta may play a role in regulating immunoreactivity by inhibiting transcription of the CIITA gene, thereby reducing subsequent class II MHC expression.

HIV glycoprotein 120 enhances intercellular adhesion molecule-1 gene expression in glial cells. Involvement of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription and protein kinase C signaling pathways

It is well established that the two major glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS), astrocytes and microglia, are key participants in mediating the neurologic dysfunction associated with HIV infection of the CNS. In this study, we investigated the ability of the major envelope glycoprotein of HIV, glycoprotein 120 (gp120), to regulate intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in glial cells, because ICAM-1 is important in mediating immune responsiveness in the CNS, facilitating entry of HIV-infected cells into the CNS, and promoting syncytia formation. Our results indicate that gp120 enhances ICAM-1 gene expression in primary rat astrocytes, primary human astrocytes, a human astroglioma cell line CRT, and primary rat microglia. The signal transduction events involved in gp120-mediated enhancement of ICAM-1 appear to involve activation of both protein kinase C and tyrosine kinase, because inhibitors of protein kinase C and tyrosine kinase abrogate gp120-mediated ICAM-1 expression in both astrocytes and microglia. Moreover, gp120 induces tyrosine phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT-1 alpha) as well as the Janus kinase (JAK2) in glial cells. We also demonstrate that gp120-mediated ICAM-1 expression has functional significance, as it enhances the ability of monocytic cells to bind to gp120-stimulated human astrocytes in an ICAM-1/beta 2 integrin-dependent fashion. These results provide new insights into how gp120 can influence the involvement of glial cells in the pathogenesis of AIDS dementia complex.

HIV glycoprotein 120 enhances intercellular adhesion molecule-1 gene expression in glial cells. Involvement of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription and protein kinase C signaling pathways

It is well established that the two major glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS), astrocytes and microglia, are key participants in mediating the neurologic dysfunction associated with HIV infection of the CNS. In this study, we investigated the ability of the major envelope glycoprotein of HIV, glycoprotein 120 (gp120), to regulate intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in glial cells, because ICAM-1 is important in mediating immune responsiveness in the CNS, facilitating entry of HIV-infected cells into the CNS, and promoting syncytia formation. Our results indicate that gp120 enhances ICAM-1 gene expression in primary rat astrocytes, primary human astrocytes, a human astroglioma cell line CRT, and primary rat microglia. The signal transduction events involved in gp120-mediated enhancement of ICAM-1 appear to involve activation of both protein kinase C and tyrosine kinase, because inhibitors of protein kinase C and tyrosine kinase abrogate gp120-mediated ICAM-1 expression in both astrocytes and microglia. Moreover, gp120 induces tyrosine phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT-1 alpha) as well as the Janus kinase (JAK2) in glial cells. We also demonstrate that gp120-mediated ICAM-1 expression has functional significance, as it enhances the ability of monocytic cells to bind to gp120-stimulated human astrocytes in an ICAM-1/beta 2 integrin-dependent fashion. These results provide new insights into how gp120 can influence the involvement of glial cells in the pathogenesis of AIDS dementia complex.

Differential regulation of astrocyte TNF-alpha expression by the cytokines TGF-beta, IL-6 and IL-10

In this study, we demonstrate that transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibit tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression by primary rat astrocytes. Treatment of astrocytes with TGF-beta alone had no effect on TNF-alpha expression, however, TGF-beta suppressed induction of TNF-alpha expression at both the protein and mRNA level. In contrast, IL-10 and IL-6 both inhibited TNF-alpha protein expression by astrocytes, but had no effect on mRNA levels. The extent of IL-6-mediated inhibition was greatest when astrocytes were pretreated with IL-6 for 12-24 hr, then exposed to the inducing stimuli, while IL-10 was an effective inhibitor even when added simultaneously with the inducing stimuli. Collectively, these data indicate that TGF-beta, IL-6 and IL-10 are all capable of inhibiting TNF-alpha expression by astrocytes, although these immunosuppressive cytokines act at different levels of gene expression; i.e. TGF-beta at the transcriptional level and IL-10/IL-6 at the translational level. These results indicate that TGF-beta, IL-6 and IL-10 are important regulators of cytokine production by astrocytes under inflammatory conditions in the brain, and can contribute to controlling the production of detrimental cytokines such as TNF-alpha.

Differential modulation of astrocyte cytokine gene expression by TGF-beta

In this study, we demonstrate that TGF-beta inhibits TNF-alpha expression, and induces/enhances IL-6 expression by primary rat astrocytes. Treatment of astrocytes with TGF-beta alone had no effect on TNF-alpha mRNA or protein expression; however, TGF-beta suppressed induction of TNF-alpha expression by three different stimuli (IFN-gamma/LPS, IFN-gamma/IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha) at both the protein and mRNA level. The extent of TGF-beta-mediated inhibition was greatest when astrocytes were pretreated with TGF-beta for 6 to 24 h, then exposed to the inducing stimuli. Inhibition of TNF-alpha mRNA steady-state levels by TGF-beta was a result of inhibition of TNF-alpha gene transcription, rather than degradation of the TNF-alpha message. In contrast, TGF-beta alone induced expression of IL-6 by astrocytes and synergized with two other cytokines, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha, for enhanced IL-6 expression. TGF-beta-induced/enhanced IL-6 expression was mediated by transcriptional activation of the IL-6 gene. These results indicate that TGF-beta is an important regulator of cytokine production by astrocytes under inflammatory conditions in the brain.

Differential modulation of astrocyte cytokine gene expression by TGF-beta

In this study, we demonstrate that TGF-beta inhibits TNF-alpha expression, and induces/enhances IL-6 expression by primary rat astrocytes. Treatment of astrocytes with TGF-beta alone had no effect on TNF-alpha mRNA or protein expression; however, TGF-beta suppressed induction of TNF-alpha expression by three different stimuli (IFN-gamma/LPS, IFN-gamma/IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha) at both the protein and mRNA level. The extent of TGF-beta-mediated inhibition was greatest when astrocytes were pretreated with TGF-beta for 6 to 24 h, then exposed to the inducing stimuli. Inhibition of TNF-alpha mRNA steady-state levels by TGF-beta was a result of inhibition of TNF-alpha gene transcription, rather than degradation of the TNF-alpha message. In contrast, TGF-beta alone induced expression of IL-6 by astrocytes and synergized with two other cytokines, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha, for enhanced IL-6 expression. TGF-beta-induced/enhanced IL-6 expression was mediated by transcriptional activation of the IL-6 gene. These results indicate that TGF-beta is an important regulator of cytokine production by astrocytes under inflammatory conditions in the brain.

Signal transduction pathways mediating astrocyte IL-6 induction by IL-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha

One immune function of astrocytes is IL-6 production. Synthesis of IL-6 within the central nervous system (CNS) can produce several different responses, acting on glia, neurons, and lymphocytes infiltrating brain tissue, and some of these effects are associated with CNS autoimmune disease. IL-6 gene expression in astrocytes is regulated by cytokines, infectious agents, neuropeptides, and neurotransmitters, and most of these stimuli interact synergistically. To examine the integration of these diverse factors in the control of IL-6 production, we have studied the involvement of underlying signal transduction processes using neonatal rat astrocytes. We have focused on signal transduction related to the stimulation of IL-6 gene expression by IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. Our results indicate that stimuli related to protein kinase C (PKC), such as PMA and calcium ionophore A23187, increase IL-6 expression, whereas pharmacologic inhibitors of PKC inhibit IL-6 induction by IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. Furthermore, both IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha stimulate PKC activity in astrocytes. Stimulators of the cAMP pathway, such as cholera toxin, forskolin, and dibutyryl cAMP, also induced astrocyte IL-6 gene expression. However, inhibition of the cAMP pathway effector, protein kinase A, did not reduce the induction of astrocyte IL-6 gene expression in response to IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha, and an ELISA for cAMP detected only very small increases in cAMP synthesis in response to these cytokines. These data suggest that although cAMP does activate astrocyte IL-6 gene expression, it is the PKC pathway that plays a primary role in the stimulation of astrocyte IL-6 gene expression by IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha.

Signal transduction pathways mediating astrocyte IL-6 induction by IL-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha

One immune function of astrocytes is IL-6 production. Synthesis of IL-6 within the central nervous system (CNS) can produce several different responses, acting on glia, neurons, and lymphocytes infiltrating brain tissue, and some of these effects are associated with CNS autoimmune disease. IL-6 gene expression in astrocytes is regulated by cytokines, infectious agents, neuropeptides, and neurotransmitters, and most of these stimuli interact synergistically. To examine the integration of these diverse factors in the control of IL-6 production, we have studied the involvement of underlying signal transduction processes using neonatal rat astrocytes. We have focused on signal transduction related to the stimulation of IL-6 gene expression by IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. Our results indicate that stimuli related to protein kinase C (PKC), such as PMA and calcium ionophore A23187, increase IL-6 expression, whereas pharmacologic inhibitors of PKC inhibit IL-6 induction by IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. Furthermore, both IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha stimulate PKC activity in astrocytes. Stimulators of the cAMP pathway, such as cholera toxin, forskolin, and dibutyryl cAMP, also induced astrocyte IL-6 gene expression. However, inhibition of the cAMP pathway effector, protein kinase A, did not reduce the induction of astrocyte IL-6 gene expression in response to IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha, and an ELISA for cAMP detected only very small increases in cAMP synthesis in response to these cytokines. These data suggest that although cAMP does activate astrocyte IL-6 gene expression, it is the PKC pathway that plays a primary role in the stimulation of astrocyte IL-6 gene expression by IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha.