Extraction Of Sb Research Articles

Implementing Antimony Supply and Sustainability Measures via Extraction as a By-Product in Skarn Deposits: The Case of the Chalkidiki Pb-Zn-Au Mines

Antimony is one of the world’s scarcest metals and is listed as a Critical Raw Material (CRM) for the European Union. To meet the increasing demand for metals in a sustainable way, one of the strategies that could be implemented would be the recovery of metals as by-products. This would decrease the amount of hazardous materials filling mining dumps. The present study investigates the potential for producing antimony as a by-product at the Olympias separation plant in Northern Greece. This plant works a skarn mineralization that shows interesting amounts of Sb. Boulangerite (Pb5Sb4S11) reports on Pb concentrate levels reached 8% in the analyzed product. This pre-enrichment is favorable in terms of boulangerite recovery since it can be separated from galena through froth flotation. Boulangerite distribution in the primary ore is quite heterogeneous in terms of the inclusion relationships and grain size. However, a qualitative assessment shows that the current Pb concentrate grain size is too coarse to successfully liberate a good amount of boulangerite. The use of image analysis and textural assessments is pivotal in determining shape factors and crystal size, which is essential for the targeting of flotation parameters during separation. The extraction of antimony as a by-product is possible through a two-step process; namely, (i) the preliminary concentration of boulangerite, followed by (ii) the hydrometallurgical extraction of the antimony from the boulangerite concentrate. The Olympias enrichment plant could therefore set a positive example by promoting the benefits of targeted Sb extraction as a by-product within similar sulfide deposits within the European territory.

Recovery of antimony from acidic and alkaline leaching solution of low-grade antimony ore by electrowinning process

With regards to the global continuous growth in consumption of base metals such as antimony (Sb), mining companies are currently looking to improve the productivity and extraction of Sb from low grade ore in order to economically process it. With this aim, in this study, an efficient protocol was developed to recover metallic Sb from the low grade Fe3Si2O5(OH)4. Sb3O6(OH). Sb2O3 ore of the Sefid-Abe mine in Zahedan province, Iran, utilizing selective acidic or alkaline leaching followed by Sb electrowinning. A process was developed to recover antimony from an Sb2O3 ore source, using selective acidic or alkaline leaching followed by antimony electrowinning. Sb could be leached with an efficiency of 85 % using 5 M NaOH and 87 % using 5 M hydrochloric acid/5 M sulfuric acid as the digestion solution at 80 °C for 8 h. The electrowinning process plays a significant role in recovery of highly pure Sb metal. Relying on this approach, a high deposition rate and current efficiency have been generated at a deposition potential 2 V at 30 °C (80 °C for alkaline medium). This was achieved by using anode electrode made of graphite and cathode electrode made of steel (two steel electrodes were used for alkaline electrowinning). Additionally, for acidic electrowinning, exploitation of Sb from the electrolyte solution was achieved by applying a current of 0.1 A, resulting in the highest yield equal to 89 %. On the other hand, for alkaline electrowinning, the highest efficiency corresponds to the current intensity of 0.5 A, which resulted in 97 % Sb extraction from the electrolyte solution. The XRD and ICP analysis performed for samples obtained from the electrolysis confirmed that the resulting antimony ingot has an exceptionally high purity.

Scutellaria barbata D.Don extract regulates Ezrin-mediated triple negative breast cancer progress via suppressing the RhoA /ROCK1 signaling.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks effective therapeutic targets. Scutellaria barbata D.Don (SB) has been revealed to have anti-breast cancer (BC) effect, but the effect of SB extract in TNBC is still unclear. Herein, this research delves into the underlying mechanism. SB was extracted by solvent extraction, and the main components were identified using an Agilent 6,520 HPLC-Chip/Q-TOF (Chip/Q-TOF) MS system. In vitro cell experiments were conducted. The effects of SB extract alone, SB extract plus EGF, GSK alone, GSK plus Ezrin overexpression, or SB extract plus Ezrin overexpression on cell viability, invasion, migration, and apoptosis were examined by cell function experiments. The apoptosis- and RhoA/ROCK1 pathway-related protein levels were analyzed by western blot assay. Mass spectrometry analysis exhibited that SB extract mainly contains long-chain fatty acids and ursolic acid. SB extract mitigated TNBC cell biological phenotypes, apoptosis- and RhoA/ROCK1 pathway-related marker expressions, which were reversed by EGF. The further results found that GSK obviously weakens TNBC cell biological behaviors, apoptosis- and RhoA/ROCK1 signaling-related protein levels, while oe-Ezrin treatment reverses the effect of GSK on TNBC cells. Moreover, SB extract regulated Ezrin-mediated function of TNBC cells by impeding the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway. Our findings demonstrated that SB extract regulated Ezrin-mediated proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of TNBC cells via suppressing the RhoA /ROCK1 signaling. Our results offer the experimental foundation for further investigation of the anti-cancer role of SB in TNBC cells. SB extract inhibits the biological phenotypes of TNBC cells.SB extract inhibits the biological behaviors of TNBC cells through the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway.SB extract modulates Ezrin-mediated TNBC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis via restraining the RhoA/ROCK1 signaling.

Determination of Sb(V) in water samples via solid-phase extraction based on Mg–Al layered double hydroxide sorbents prior to ICP-MS

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) is an effective method for detecting trace metals. Mg-Al-layered double hydroxide (Mg-Al LDH) materials as an effective adsorbent for SPE because of its large anion exchange capacity, high yield and low cost. A new method was developed for detecting Sb(V) with SPE coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mg-Al LDH was synthesized via a simple coprecipitation method and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Factors affecting the Sb(V) extraction efficiency, such as the eluent type and volume, solution pH, loading flow rate, sample volume, adsorbent weight, and salt concentration, were optimized. Under optimal conditions, the SPE method exhibited good linearity (R2 ≥ 0.999) in the range of 0.1–100 µg L−1 with a limit of detection equal to 0.017 µg L−1, good repeatability and reproducibility, and intraday and interday relative standard deviations of 1.84% and 1.48%, respectively. Furthermore, the method was applied to determine traces of antimony in drinking water and bottled water, and findings revealed recoveries between 82.7%–92.1%.

Study On Metallogenic Regularity and Metallogenic Prediction of Antimony Deposits in Western Yunnan China

West Yunnan is the Amain enrichment area of antimony resources in China. Therefore, this project comprehensively uses new geochemical methods such as geochemistry, secondary halo, electric adsorption, soil ion conductivity, and soil adsorption phase to extract the closely related electrical properties, ion conductivity, soil adsorption phase and other multivariate valid data. In ore near the range of soil ion conductivity anomaly and soil adsorption phase mercury, there is a significant ion anomaly in the peaks of electrical extraction of As, Sb, Ag and other elements, but the amplitude of this ion anomaly is larger than that of conductivity The rate anomaly and the amplitude of soil adsorption phase mercury are small. The research results of this paper can be used as a reference for the metallogenic regularity and metallogenic prediction of antimony resources in western Yunnan.

Cellular assays combined with metabolomics highlight the dual face of phenolics: From high permeability to morphological cell damage

The Caco-2 cellular permeability of phenolic aqueous extracts from blackcurrant press cake (BC), Norway spruce bark (NS), scots pine bark (SP), and sea buckthorn leaves (SB) was evaluated by combining high-resolution mass spectrometry and atomic force microscopy. Besides, Caco-2 and HepG2 cells allowed the study of intracellular oxidative stress assessed in both apical and basolateral domains. Overall, BC and NS showed the highest total phenolic contents, 4.38 and 3.76 µg/mL, respectively. Multivariate statistics discriminated NS and BC from SP and SB extracts because of their phenolic profile. Polyphenols were classified as highly permeable, thus suggesting their potentially high bioavailability through the gastrointestinal tract. All the phenolic subclasses showed efflux ratio values < 1, except for BC flavonols, flavan-3-ols, and stilbenes. Regarding cellular damage, NS and BC extracts, when acting on the basolateral cellular side, caused epithelial leakage and morphological shape cell damage on Caco-2 cells associated with ROS production.

Toxic response of antimony in the Comamonas testosteroni and its application in soil antimony bioremediation

Antimony (Sb) is toxic to ecosystems and potentially to public health via its accumulation in the food chain. Bioavailability and toxicity of Sb have been reduced using various methods for the remediation of Sb-contaminated soil in most studies. However, Sb-contaminated soil remediation by microbial agents has been rarely evaluated. In this study, we evaluated the potential for the use of Comamonas testosteroni JL40 in the bioremediation of Sb-contamination. Strain JL40 immobilized more than 30 % of the Sb(III) in solution and oxidized over 18 % to Sb(V) for detoxification. Meanwhile, strain JL40 responds to Sb toxicity through such as Sb efflux, intracellular accumulation, biofilm production, and scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), etc. The results of the pot experiment showed the average Sb content of the brown rice was decreased by 59.1%, 38.8%, and 48.4%, for 1.8, 50, and 100 mg/kg Sb spiked soils, respectively. In addition, the results of plant, soil enzyme activity, and rice agronomic trait observations showed that the application of strain JL40 could maintain the health of plants and soil and improve rice production. The single-step and sequential extraction of Sb from rhizosphere soil showed that strain JL40 also plays a role in Sb immobilization and oxidation in the soil environment. During rice potted cultivation, bacterial community analysis and plate counting showed that the strain JL40 could still maintain 103 CFU/g after 30 days of inoculation. With phenotypic and differential proteomics analysis, strain JL40 conferred Sb(III) tolerance by a combination of immobilization, oxidation, efflux and scavenging of ROS, etc. Our study demonstrates the application of Sb-immobilizing and oxidizing bacteria to lower soil Sb and reduce accumulation of Sb in rice. Our results provide guidance for bacterial remediation of Sb-contaminated soil.

Identification of Flavonoids from Scutellaria barbata D. Don as Inhibitors of HIV-1 and Cathepsin L Proteases and Their Structure-Activity Relationships.

Scutellaria barbata D. Don (SB, Chinese: Ban Zhi Lian), a well-known medicinal plant used in traditional Chinese medicine, is rich in flavonoids. It possesses antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activities. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory activities of SB extracts and its active components against HIV-1 protease (HIV-1 PR) and SARS-CoV2 viral cathepsin L protease (Cat L PR). UPLC/HRMS was used to identify and quantify the major active flavonoids in different SB extracts, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assays were used to determine HIV-1 PR and Cat L PR inhibitions and identify structure-activity relationships. Molecular docking was also performed, to explore the diversification in bonding patterns of the active flavonoids upon binding to the two PRs. Three SB extracts (SBW, SB30, and SB60) and nine flavonoids inhibited HIV-1 PR with an IC50 range from 0.006 to 0.83 mg/mL. Six of the flavonoids showed 10~37.6% inhibition of Cat L PR at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL. The results showed that the introduction of the 4'-hydroxyl and 6-hydroxyl/methoxy groups was essential in the 5,6,7-trihydroxyl and 5,7,4'-trihydroxyl flavones, respectively, to enhance their dual anti-PR activities. Hence, the 5,6,7,4'-tetrahydroxyl flavone scutellarein (HIV-1 PR, IC50 = 0.068 mg/mL; Cat L PR, IC50 = 0.43 mg/mL) may serve as a lead compound to develop more effective dual protease inhibitors. The 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxyl flavone luteolin also showed a potent and selective inhibition of HIV-1 PR (IC50 = 0.039 mg/mL).

Synthesis, Characterization and Pharmacological Evaluation of Ethanolic Extract of Sarcostemma brevistigma for its Anti-inflammatory and Antipsoriatic Activity

The goal of this work was to test the anti-inflammatory and anti-psoriatic properties of an ethanolic extract of Sarcostemma brevistigma stem in the formation of a hydrogel utilizing several mouse models. The methanolic fraction was obtained by fractionating an ethanolic extract of Sarcostemma brevistigma stem with methanol. Viscosity, spreadability, drug release profile, pH, homogeneity, physical properties and irritant impact of the prepared hydrogel were assessed. Percentage inhibition, nitric oxide (NO), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in mice ears following acute inflammation caused by croton oil were all measured. Physical examination revealed that the produced hydrogels were brownish in color and had a homogenous and smooth look when applied. All other test criteria, including as pH, viscosity, spreadability, and consistency, were determined to be acceptable in the F3 hydrogel formulation. The optimal F3 formulation component was 1.5 g of Carbopol 940 and 1% sodium CMC. In xylene-induced ear edema in mice, the percent suppression of edema was found to be equivalent to the standard group of therapy (69.58 %). The results of this investigation show that a produced hydrogel of SB extract has inhibitory activity on acute inflammation. The capacity of croton oil to promote neutrophil influx in mouse ear tissue was shown in this study. Treatment with extract hydrogels, as well as Voltaren Emulgel, substantially decreased MPO and NO levels in mice ears (P &lt; 0.01). The presence of flavonoids in Sarcostemma brevistigma may explain why the methanol extracts have a substantial anti-inflammatory effect.

Novel amide- and imide-co-polymers modified with sulfathiazole as efficient chelator for selective extraction, pre-concentration and determination of trace inorganic antimony (as Sb(III)) from edible vegetable oils by ultrasound assisted-cloud point extraction coupled to micro-volume UV-spectrophotometry

The study described the synthesis, characterization, and application of newly prepared sulfathiazole-modified amide/imide co-polymers for the extraction of trace Sb(III) from edible vegetable oils. The method was based on the pH-dependent complexation between Sb(III) and chelators as a result of charge transfer via tautomerization in presence of the mixed ionic surfactants in 5%(v/v) 2-propanol, 1:1, v/v) at pH 2.0 and 8.0, respectively for amide and imide copolymers and then selectively ultrasound assisted-cloud point extraction of the Sb(III)-complexes into the micellar phase of extractant. The separated micellar phase by centrifugation was diluted to 0.4 mL with tetrahydrofuran, and detected at 269 nm by micro-volume UV-spectrophotometry. The parameters affecting extraction efficiency were optimized. The optimal extraction conditions were found to be: 0.6/0.8 mmol L−1 of McIlvaine buffer, 30 µmol L−1 of the mixed-ionic surfactant mixture, 120 µmol L−1 KCl, 0.1/0.06% (v/v) of the nonionic surfactant and (0.4/0.2)× 10−3%(w/v) of sulfathiazole-modified amide/imide copolymers at pH 2.0 and 8.0 for 7 min at 40 °C in an ultrasonic bath (40 kHz, 300 W). From preconcentration of 20-mL sample, the good linear relationships (r2 ≥0.995) between absorbance and Sb(III) concentration were obtained from calibration curves prepared in solvent in range of 1–40 and 1–62.5 µg L−1 with the method detection limits of 0.30/0.47 and 0.51/0.51 µg L−1 at 269 nm by spectrophotometer after 50-fold pre-concentration. The accuracy was statistically verified by analysis of a non-certified sample with and without spiking where the precision and relative recoveries are within 5–12% and 83–92%, respectively. Also, the matrix effect was evaluated by triplicate measurements of 25 µg L−1 Sb(III) (n: 3) under optimal conditions. The method was successfully applied into the analysis of total iSb levels of edible vegetable oils. The results shown that the STZ-modified amide/imide co-polymers were efficient selective chelators even in presence of 50-fold excess Sb(V), and exhibited great potential as alternative binding chelators for the extraction of Sb(III) from edible vegetable oils.

Magnetic Ion Imprinted Polymers (MIIPs) for Selective Extraction and Preconcentration of Sb(III) from Environmental Matrices.

Antimony(III) is a rare element whose chemical and toxicological properties bear a resemblance to those of arsenic. As a result, the presence of Sb(III) in water might have adverse effects on human health and aquatic life. However, Sb(III) exists at very ultra-trace levels which may be difficult for direct quantification. Therefore, there is a need to develop efficient and reliable selective extraction and preconcentration of Sb(III) in water systems. Herein, a selective extraction and preconcentration of trace Sb(III) from environmental samples was achieved using ultrasound assisted magnetic solid-phase extraction (UA-MSPE) based on magnetic Sb(III) ion imprinted polymer-Fe3O4@SiO2@CNFs nanocomposite as an adsorbent. The amount of antimony in samples was determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The UA-MSPE conditions were investigated using fractional factorial design and response surface methodology based on central composite design. The Sb(III)-IIP sorbent displayed excellent selectivity towards Sb(III) as compared to NIIP adsorbent. Under optimised conditions, the enrichment factor, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of UA-MSPE/ICP-OES for Sb(III) were 71.3, 0.13 µg L−1 and 0.44 µg L−1, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day precision expressed as relative standard deviations (%RSDs, n = 10 and n = 5) were 2.4 and 4.7, respectively. The proposed analytical method was applied in the determination of trace Sb(III) in environmental samples. Furthermore, the accuracy of the method was evaluated using spiked recovery experiments and the percentage recoveries ranged from 95–98.3%.

Effective separation and recovery of valuable metals from high value-added lead anode slime by sustainable vacuum distillation

High value-added lead anode slime (LAS) contains valuable Ag and Au, as well as high levels of harmful elements, mainly As, Sb and Te. Traditional LAS pyrometallurgical treatment, which is a complex Pb and Sb extraction flow used for precious metal recovery, has exhausted energy sources and discharged hazardous wastes that have an increasingly harmful impact on the environment. Therefore, vacuum distillation for recovering Ag and Au from LAS has been investigated. Theoretical analysis shows that the rapid and effective recovery of valuable metals from LAS can be realized. At a temperature of 1173 K and a holding time of 2.5 h in a kilogram-scale experiment, Ag and Au were effectively enriched, and the recovery efficiencies were 92.10% and 96.85%, respectively; moreover, removal rates of 90.22% for As, 65.83% for Sb, and 98.48% for Te were achieved. The phase transformation of LAS before and after the vacuum distillation process was analyzed. The volatiles can serve as a raw material to produce Sb white, while the residue can be returned to the smelting-vacuum process for Au and Ag purification. In this vacuum distillation process, no gas or wastewater is discharged, thereby recycling valuable metals in a sustainable and clean manner.

Multi-ion imprinted polymers (MIIPs) for simultaneous extraction and preconcentration of Sb(III), Te(IV), Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions from drinking water sources

Simultaneous extraction and preconcentration of several potentially toxic metal ions have received great attention because of their toxicological effects on aquatic life and human beings. Multi-ion imprinted polymers (MIIP) have proved to be promising adsorbents with excellent specific recognition performance than single-ion imprinted polymer. Therefore, in this study, the MIIP strategy was employed for simultaneous extraction and enrichment of Sb(III), Cd(II), Pb(II) and Te(IV) ions from drinking water sources. MIIPs was used as a sorbent material in ultrasound-assisted dispersive solid phase extraction combined with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (UA-DSPE/ICP-OES). The experimental parameters that affect the extraction efficiency and recovery of Sb(III), Cd(II), Pb(II) and Te(IV) were investigated using response surface methodology. Under optimum conditions, the enhancement factors, linear range, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 37.7–51.1, 0.04–100 µg L-1, 0.011–0.28 µg L-1, 0.037–093 µg L-1, respectively. The intra-day (n = 10) and inter-day (n = 5) precision expressed as relative standard deviations (%RSDs,) were 3% and 5%, respectively. The proposed UA-DSPE/ICP-OES method was applied for preconcentration and determination of the trace metal ions in environmental samples. Furthermore, the accuracy of the method was evaluated using spiked recovery experiments and the percentage recoveries ranged from 95% to 99.3%.

Toxicological and bioactivity evaluation of blackcurrant press cake, sea buckthorn leaves and bark from Scots pine and Norway spruce extracts under a green integrated approach

Aqueous extracts from blackcurrant press cake (BC), Norway spruce bark (NS), Scots pine bark (SP), and sea buckthorn leaves (SB) were obtained using maceration and pressurized hot water and tested for their bioactivities. Maceration provided the extraction of higher dry matter contents, including total phenolics (TPC), anthocyanins, and condensed tannins, which also impacted higher antioxidant activity. NS and SB extracts presented the highest mean values of TPC and antioxidant activity. Individually, NS extract presented high contents of proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, and some phenolic acids. In contrast, SB contained a high concentration of ellagitannins, ellagic acid, and quercetin, explaining the antioxidant activity and antibacterial effects. SP and BC extracts had the lowest TPC and antioxidant activity. However, BC had strong antiviral efficacy, whereas SP can be considered a potential ingredient to inhibit α-amylase. Except for BC, the other extracts decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in HCT8 and A549 cells. Extracts did not inhibit the production of TNF-alpha in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated THP-1 macrophages but inhibited the ROS generation during the THP-1 cell respiratory burst. The recovery of antioxidant compounds from these by-products is incentivized for high value-added applications.

Scutellaria barbata D. Don Inhibits the Main Proteases (Mpro and TMPRSS2) of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection.

In late 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic emerged to severely impact the global population, creating an unprecedented need for effective treatments. This study aims to investigate the potential of Scutellaria barbata D. Don (SB) as a treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection through the inhibition of the proteases playing important functions in the infection by SARS-CoV-2. FRET assay was applied to investigate the inhibitory effects of SB on the two proteases involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection, Mpro and TMPRSS2. Additionally, to measure the potential effectiveness of SB treatment on infection inhibition, cellular models based on the Calu3 and VeroE6 cells and their TMPRSS2- expressing derivatives were assessed by viral pseudoparticles (Vpp) infection assays. The experimental approaches were conjugated with LC/MS analyses of the aqueous extracts of SB to identify the major constituent compounds, followed by a literature review to determine the potential active components of the inhibitory effects on protease activities. Our results showed that SB extracts inhibited the enzyme activities of Mpro and TMPRSS2. Furthermore, SB extracts effectively inhibited SARS-CoV-2 Vpp infection through a TMPRSS2-dependent mechanism. The aqueous extract analysis identified six major constituent compounds present in SB. Some of them have been known associated with inhibitory activities of TMPRSS2 or Mpro. Thus, SB may effectively prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication through inhibiting Mpro and TMPRSS2 protease activities.

Scutellaria barbata D.Don and Oldenlandia diffusa (Willd.) Roxb crude extracts inhibit hepatitis-B-virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma growth through regulating circRNA expression

Ethnopharmacological relevanceScutellaria barbata D.Don (SB) and Oldenlandia diffusa (Willd.) Roxb are commonly known as Ban Zhi Lian and Bai Hua She Cao in Chinese herbal medicines, respectively. As a pair of herbs, they have traditionally been used as ethnomedicines for clearing away heat and toxins, removing blood stasis, and promoting blood circulation, diuresis, and detumescence. Aim of the studyThe aim of the present study was to determine the active ingredients in SB and OD extracts and to investigate whether these extracts can inhibit the growth of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines (HepG2.2.15 and Hep3B) in vitro and in vivo, as well as to explore their mechanisms of action. Materials and methodsWe determined the levels of total flavonoids, luteolin, and apigenin in SB and OD extracts via ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. The effects of SB and OD extracts on HBV-associated HCC cell growth were assessed by HepG2.2.15 and Hep3B cells phenotype and RNA sequencing of Hep3B cells in vitro, and xenograft models in vivo. ResultsThe extracts of SB and OD contained total flavonoids. There were active ingredients of luteolin and apigenin in SB, but not in OD. The extracts of SB and OD significantly inhibited HCC growth, migration, invasion, and HBV activity in vitro and in vivo, as well as altered circRNA expression in Hep3B cells. Moreover, we constructed a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA co-expression network. ConclusionsThe extracts of SB and OD may inhibit HCC cell growth and HBV activity in vitro and in vivo through altering circRNA-miRNA-gene expression and that the efficacies of these extracts may be related to the presence of luteolin and apigenin.

The Removal of Platinum Group Metals, Cs, Se, and Te from Nuclear Waste Glass Using Liquid Sb Extraction and Phase Separation Methods.

Recovery of platinum group metals (PGMs: Pd, Ru, Rh), Cs, Se, and Te from molten borosilicate glass containing simulated high level radwaste through the combination of liquid metal extraction and phase separation method under reductive heat-treatment was studied. In this process, the PGMs were extracted in recovered liquid metal phase, where Sb and Bi metals were used as the collecting metals. Meanwhile, Cs, Se, and Te were enriched in the phase separated potassium-rich materials on glass surface, which were extracted by water. The type of liquid metals had profound influence on the extraction behaviors of PGMs and other fission products from the glass melt. As a result, except the near extraction efficiency of Pd, Sb showed higher affinity for Ru and Rh than Bi metal. The higher phase separation efficiency of potassium-rich materials led to the higher extraction efficiencies of Cs, Se, and Te in liquid Sb extraction than Bi. Among the examined conditions, using liquid Sb extraction, the Pd, Ru, and Rh extraction efficiencies were 78.6%, 62.1% and 100% in liquid Sb metal phase, and 93.76% of Cs, 60.4% of Se, and 23.65% of Te in leachate were obtained.

Effect of aqueous extract from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi roots on CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses during experimental infection with Trichinella spiralis in mice.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi roots (SB) on blood parameters and immune response during an experimental trichinellosis. A total of 60 mice infected with 200 Trichinella spiralis larvae were assigned into two groups. One of them served as a control and the second received SB extract orally from day 5 before infection to day 28 after infection (dpi). Blood was sampled at 7, 14, 21 dpi. Lymphocytes obtained from the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) at 7, 14, 21, and 28 dpi were counted, CD4+ and CD8+ subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry, and lymphocyte proliferation was estimated with colorimetric (MTT) assay. The intensity of intestinal and muscle invasion was also studied. SB caused a remarkable elevation of banded neutrophils in the blood at 7 dpi. SB increased ConA-stimulated splenocyte proliferation and CD4+ and CD8+ splenocyte subsets at 14 and 21 dpi, whereas MLN lymphocyte subset stimulation involved only CD4+ at 14 dpi. After administration of SB a downward trend in the number of T. spiralis larvae in the muscle was observed. These results suggest that Scutellaria baicalensis root extract stimulates murine cellular immune response during intestinal phase of T. spiralis infection.

Isotopic evidence for the use of Caucasian antimony in Late Bronze Age glass making

Antimony (Sb) is considered a rare material in the archaeological record, found only in unusual circumstances. Nevertheless, antimony minerals were an important resource for several millennia, used in metallurgy and to opacify or decolour glass and glazes. In this way, Sb spread throughout the known world from the Chalcolithic onward. In glassmaking, stibnite was the only available resource that could provide in any measure the very pure Sb evident from trace element analyses of the earliest glass. Sb isotopic analysis has allowed Late Bronze Age Egyptian and Mesopotamian glass vessels and Caucasian Sb metallic beads to be compared to the possible ancient ore sources. The only known matches for the isotopic composition of the glass are stibnite ores from the Racha-Lechkumi district in the Caucasus (present-day Georgia), near the Zopkhito Au–Sb deposits, mined from the 17th century BCE. Conversely, the Sb metal beads represent several isotopic and trace element compositional groups, only one of which matches the Racha-Lechkumi stibnite. Sb extraction for glassmaking was likely unrelated to copper metallurgy, and may have been associated with the mining of precious metals.

Quality reference values for heavy metals in soils developed from basic rocks under tropical conditions

Soil Quality Reference Values (QRV) refer to the natural heavy metal concentrations that is not influenced or is minimally influenced by anthropogenic activities. Such values are unique of each environment, and their extrapolation to different locations becomes inadequate. This research aimed to determine the natural concentrations of metals in soils (QRV) developed on essentially basaltic lithology and tropical conditions in the south of Brazil. Seventy-two soil samples from the Forest Conservation Areas in the west of the state of Paraná, Brazil, were obtained. The extraction and dosage of Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn were carried out employing methods USEPA 3051a and ICP-OES. The QRV was set to 75th percentile of each element, from the detection and exclusion of the outliers. The natural concentration of all heavy metals was related to the geological context of the basaltic area in Brazil. There was no influence of the pedogenetic degree of soils on the natural heavy metal concentration. The only relevant process for reducing the natural heavy metal levels was the Fe and Mn oxide solubility promoted by hydromorphic conditions. Fe oxides had a significant role in the maintenance of structural and adsorbed heavy metal forms in soils. The results may help the research and monitoring of environmental heavy metals in soils developed from basalt under tropical conditions.