Probiotic Gluconacetobacter strains are intestinal microbes with beneficial effects on human heal... more Probiotic Gluconacetobacter strains are intestinal microbes with beneficial effects on human health. Recently, researchers have used these strains to biosynthesize metal and non-metal nanoparticles for treating various chronic diseases. Despite their importance in nanotechnology, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) biosynthesized by Gluconacetobacter species have not been clearly identified for treating inflammation and inflammation-associated diseases. While ginsenoside CK has strong pharmaceutical activity, it also has strong cytotoxicity and hydrophobicity which is hurdle to make formulation. Peptide-nanoparticle hybrids are gaining increasing attention for their potential biomedical applications, including human inflammatory diseases. Herein, we developed peptide CopA3 surface conjugated and ginsenoside compound K (CK) loaded gold nanoparticles (GNP-CK-CopA3), which intracellularly synthesised by the probiotic Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens kh-1, to target lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 macrophages. The synthetic GNP-CK-CopA3 was characterised by various instrumental techniques. The results of our cellular uptake and MTT assays exhibited obvious drug intracellular delivery without significant cytotoxicity. In addition, pre-treatment with GNP-CK-CopA3 significantly ameliorated LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and suppressed the mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages. Furthermore, GNP-CK-CopA3 efficiently inhibited the activation of the nuclear factor-jB (NF-jB) and mitogen-activating protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways. Taken together, our findings highlight the potential of using peptide-nanoparticle hybrids in the development of anti-inflammatory approaches and providing the experimental foundation for further application.
Summary: The goal of this project is to design a Polymer-Enhanced Ultrafiltration (PEUF) process ... more Summary: The goal of this project is to design a Polymer-Enhanced Ultrafiltration (PEUF) process for the removal of heavy metals from waste water which is a relatively new and commercially untested membrane technology. The process will be designed to accommodate wastewater from manufacturing facilities, with the output adhering to and surpassing wastewater regulations so that it can be reused in the facility or safely be returned back to the environment. In PEUF, the metal ion-polymer complexes in the wastewater are retained by the membrane whereas solutes with relatively lower mass pass through. The heavy metal ions are adsorbed by the water-soluble polymer which is subsequently isolated in the retention stream. By manipulating the pH, PEUF technology enables an enhanced recycling rate of polymer while ensuring wastewater is treated efficiently. The ultrafiltration membrane selected is polyethersulfone or PES-10 from Sepro Membranes Inc. [Mitsui Chemicals Inc, 2004].The water-soluble complexing polymer used will be poly(vinyl formamide-co-vinylamine) or Lupamin 9095. The monomers consist of a large number of vinyl formamide which which are good electron donors in coordination with metal ions [Rivas, 2003]. Vinyl formamide is polymerized and then hydrolyzed to form Lupamin 9095, a linear high molecular weight polyvinylamine [BASF Corporation, 2002]. The group has completed a working simulation model on SuperPro Designer. The results of the modelling and a comprehensive analysis of the theoretical and economic performance of the selected design are disclosed in the final report . The likelihood of this project’s success is high, as any setbacks in modelling can be overcome with technical aptitude and effort.
Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Corporation (HSPPC), located in Port Mellon, British Columbia, is a lea... more Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Corporation (HSPPC), located in Port Mellon, British Columbia, is a leading North American newsprint and kraft pulp manufacturer. Kraft pulping converts wood into wood pulp using sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide to break lignin bonds, which are the natural cellular binding agent in wood. The breakdown of lignin from wood pulp is necessary to produce bright and clear paper products. The oxygen delignification stage of the kraft process removes lignin in unbleached pulp using oxygen and alkali (caustic and white liquor) inputs. An overview of HSPPC’s oxygen delignification process is illustrated in Figure 1. High competition among Canadian pulp manufacturers has motivated pulp companies to increase process productivity and reduce cost. HSPPC saw strong potential to further optimize its oxygen delignification process and, as a result, launched an in-depth investigation to identify opportunities to improve process efficiency while maintaining the quality of its products.
Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Corporation (HSPPC), located in Port Mellon, British Columbia, is a lea... more Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Corporation (HSPPC), located in Port Mellon, British Columbia, is a leading North American newsprint and kraft pulp manufacturer. Kraft pulping converts wood into wood pulp using sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide to break lignin bonds, which are the natural cellular binding agent in wood. The breakdown of lignin from wood pulp is necessary to produce bright and clear paper products. The oxygen delignification stage of the kraft process removes lignin in unbleached pulp using oxygen and alkali (caustic and white liquor) inputs. An overview of HSPPC’s oxygen delignification process is illustrated in Figure 1. High competition among Canadian pulp manufacturers has motivated pulp companies to increase process productivity and reduce cost. HSPPC saw strong potential to further optimize its oxygen delignification process and, as a result, launched an in-depth investigation to identify opportunities to improve process efficiency while maintaining the quality of its products.
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Papers by Josua Markus
In PEUF, the metal ion-polymer complexes in the wastewater are retained by the membrane whereas solutes with relatively lower mass pass through. The heavy metal ions are adsorbed by the water-soluble polymer which is subsequently isolated in the retention stream. By manipulating the pH, PEUF technology enables an enhanced recycling rate of polymer while ensuring wastewater is treated efficiently.
The ultrafiltration membrane selected is polyethersulfone or PES-10 from Sepro Membranes Inc. [Mitsui Chemicals Inc, 2004].The water-soluble complexing polymer used will be poly(vinyl formamide-co-vinylamine) or Lupamin 9095. The monomers consist of a large number of vinyl formamide which which are good electron donors in coordination with metal ions [Rivas, 2003]. Vinyl formamide is polymerized and then hydrolyzed to form Lupamin 9095, a linear high molecular weight polyvinylamine [BASF Corporation, 2002].
The group has completed a working simulation model on SuperPro Designer. The results of the modelling and a comprehensive analysis of the theoretical and economic performance of the selected design are disclosed in the final report . The likelihood of this project’s success is high, as any setbacks in modelling can be overcome with technical aptitude and effort.