In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Activity of Ferula Gummosa Essential Oil Nanoemulsions (FGEO-NE) for the Colon Cancer Treatment

This survey was performed to aim of synthesize Nano emulsion from Ferula gummosa essential oil (FEGO-NE) and to evaluate its anti-tumor effect. First, Ferula gummosa essential oil was analyzed by GC–MS method, and then the Nano emulsion was synthesized as O/W and after characterization by DLS, Zeta potential, AFM, FESEM and TEM methods, its toxicity was evaluated by MTT method. Then its pro-apoptotic effects were evaluated by qPCR (Caspase3, 9, Bax and Bcl-2) method and AO/PI staining. The cancer induction model was used to evaluate the antitumor effects in Balb/C mice. The anti-angiogenic and antioxidant effects were evaluated by qPCR (VEGF, CAT and SOD) method. The results of physicochemical studies showed the formation of droplet with dimensions of 24.6 nm, dispersion index of 0.41 and zeta potential of ? 28.5 mV with a spherical morphology. The Nano emulsion synthesized at a concentration of 2.9 μg/mL inhibited about 50% of ht-29 cells, while up to a concentration of 4 μg/mL showed no inhibitory effect on normal cells. Increase of caspase 3, 9 and Bax and decrease of BCL-2 gene expression along with increase of apoptotic cells in AP/PI staining confirmed induction of apoptosis by FEGO-NE. The FEGO-NE showed an inhibitory effect on angiogenesis and an additive effect on the expression of antioxidant genes. In addition, the reduction of tumor volume (69.72% in 14 days) in samples treated with FEGO-NE was confirmed. The results of this study showed that FEGO-NE by various mechanisms are able to inhibit cancer cells and have a reducing effect on induced tumors in the in vivo model. These results suggest FEGO-NEs as a suitable candidate for cancer therapy studies.

     

In Vitro digestibility of selected polymers

In vitro digestibility of 10 polymers was studied. Only starch, starch blend, gelatin, and silk were more than 10% digested by the enzyme cocktail. Cellophane, polyhydroxy--valerate, pullulan, levan, shellac, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and polyethylene were less than 10% digestible. The implications from these data are that these materials would act physiologically as dietary fiber or residue.Paper presented at the Biodegradable Materials and Packaging Conference, September 22–23, 1993, Natick, Massachusetts.     

Advances In Out Door Lysimeter Techniques

Different methods exist for measuring soil water and solute fluxes in and below the root zone and have been critically reviewed. Besides indirect methods (e.g. water balance, tensiometer, time domain reflectometry – TDR, frequency domain reflectometry – FDR, environmental tracer) direct methods (e.g. drainage-type lysimeter, water fluxmeter) have a long tradition and have been successfully used in seepage research. A large weighable out door lysimeter is the best method for obtaining reliable data about seepage water quantity and quality, but it involves significant investment and additional expenses for maintenance. To tackle this problem new methods for the vertical collection of large volume soil monoliths (up to 6 m³) as well as for the horizontal collection (up to 6 m³) have been developed. For the placement of the lysimeter a container lysimeter unit was constructed, which is cheaper than a conventional steel or concrete cellar. Furthermore, the technical design of the newly developed lysimeter types as a weighable gravitation lysimeter, a weighable groundwater lysimeter and a lateral flow lysimeter are presented.     

Intrinsic and Stimulated In Situ Biodegradation of Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)

The feasibility of the biodegradation of HCH and its intermediates has been investigated. A recent characterisation of two sites in The Netherlands has shown intrinsic biodegradation of HCH. At one site, breakdown products (monochlorobenzene, benzene and chlorophenol) were found in the core of the HCH-plume, whereas the HCH-concentration decreased over time and space. Characterisation of a second, industrial site indicated less intrinsic biodegradation and the need to stimulate biodegradation. In the laboratory, enhanced HCH degradation was tested with soil and groundwater material from both sites, and the required conversion to the intermediates benzene and monochlorobenzene was demonstrated. Furthermore, the biodegradation of these intermediates could be initiated by adding low amounts of oxygen (<5%). Adding nitrate enhanced this degradation. We hypothesise that this occurs through anaerobic nitrate reducing conversion of oxidised intermediates.At the non-industrial other site, intrinsic degradation took place, as shown in the laboratory experiments. Interpretation of the field data with computer codes Modflow and RT3D was performed. As a result of the modelling study, it has been proposed to monitor natural attenuation for several years before designing the final approach.At the industrial site, the results of the batch experiments are applied. Anaerobic HCH degradation to monochlorobenzene and benzene is stimulated via the addition of an electron donor.Infiltration facilities have been installed at the site to create an anaerobic infiltration zone in which HCH will be degraded, and these facilities are combined with the redevelopment of the site.     

Analytical Modelling Of Inorganic Contaminants In Leachate

The need for estimating the contaminant concentration of leachates from landfills has rapidly become important because of the increased demand for landfilling, causing serious pollution of water bodies in some places. The present study examines the movement of inorganics from waste into leachate in the course of time. Inorganics are discussed in two groups according to their solubilities in water. The first group of inorganics dissolve immediately in water (i.e. at time t = 0). The inorganic compounds of the second group transfer into water over a longer period of time. The mathematical model is based on a porous and well-mixed medium, and on assumptions of dissolution/dilution and mass transfer according to their infiltration rate. The agreement between theoretical and experimental results from laboratory and literature are investigated. After experimental verification, some mathematical relationships to predict the mass transfer coefficient (k) and maximum concentration (C_max) were also investigated.     

Analytical Modelling Of Organic Contaminants In Leachate

Mathematical modelling is a helpful tool for predicting the hazards which arise from contaminants in leachate. These kinds of models are based on exponentially varying leachate concentration with time. In this research, a model for estimating the concentration of organics, measured as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), in leachates from solid waste disposal areas is developed. The model contains processes such as dissolution/dilution, mass transfer, substrate utilization, and microbial mass production. The recommended analytical model is compared with experimental data from two laboratory-scale plants. In addition, the variations of model parameters with the governing processes are determined with respect to time. Experimental data from laboratory and field studies in literature is simulated to verify the model. In order to determine some estimated parameters found by trial and error during modelling, multiple regression equations for the values from simulations are created.     

In situ remediation of MTBE utilizing ozone

There has been a great deal of focus on methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) over the past few years by local, state, and federal government, industry, public stakeholders, the environmental services market, and educational institutions. This focus is, in large part, the result of the widespread detection of MTBE in groundwater and surface waters across the United States. The presence of MTBE in groundwater has been attributed primarily to the release from underground storage tank (UST) systems at gasoline service stations. MTBE's physical and chemical properties are different than other constituents of gasoline that have traditionally been cause for concern [benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX)]. This difference in properties is why MTBE migrates differently in the subsurface environment and exhibits different constraints relative to mitigation and remediation of MTBE once it has been released to subsurface soils and groundwater. Resource Control Corporation (RCC) has accomplished the remediation of MTBE from subsurface soil and groundwater at multiple sites using ozone. RCC has successfully applied ozone at several sites with different lithologies, geochemistry, and concentrations of constituents of concern. This article presents results from several projects utilizing in situ chemical oxidation with ozone. On these projects MTBE concentrations in groundwater were reduced to remedial objectives usually sooner than anticipated. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Practical Simulation Of Composting In The Laboratory

A closed incubation system was developed for laboratory simulation of composting conditions at the interior of a large compost pile. A conductive heat flux control system (CHFC) was used to adjust the temperature of the internal wall to that of the compost center and compensate for heat loss. Insulated small vessels (400 cm³) controlled by the CHFC system were compared with similar vessels maintained at 30°C (mesophilic) and 55°C (thermophilic), and with large vessels (10 000 cm³) with and without the CHFC. Compost temperature rose rapidly to a maximum within 2-4 days, then gradually decreased. In mesophilic treatments (no CHFC), temperature at the matrix center increased to a maximum of 36°C in the small vessel and 50°C in the large vessel, while temperature in both vessels reached 50°C with the CHFC. Microbial activity was maintained by allowing compost to self-heat and controlling temperature externally with the CHFC. Higher temperatures were sustained for longer periods in CHFC vessels than in vessels without the CHFC. Periodic mixing of the compost matrix increased temperature and CO₂ evolution. Small vessels were successfully used in laboratory simulation of field-scale composting of a soil/organic matrix containing TNT and RDX munitions. The small vessel system reduced subsample error in compost monitoring from that of the large vessels. The CHFC has particular utility in research requiring expensive chemicals or hazardous substances.     

Solid Waste Recycling And Reuse In Bangkok

Materials recovered from solid waste in Bangkok are mainly glass bottles, paper and paper products, plastic products and metals. Materials are separated at three different stages of the collection process: at the source, prior to collection; by the crews of the collection vehicle; and by the scavengers at the dump site. The total daily tonnage of recyclable garbage collected at the source by the waste pickers is estimated at 286 tonnes, about 5% of the garbage collected by the city. There are small scale recycling shops (SSR) located around the main disposal sites where collected materials are sold by the collection crews and the scavengers. The quantity of materials delivered to the SSR shops by the collection crew vary between 1-6 tonnes per day. The amount of materials recovered by the scavengers (at the dump site) varies between 50-150 kg person^-1 day^-1. Therefore around 7.5% of the solid waste is recycled. In Bangkok both formal and informal sectors manufacture paper pulp, cardboard boxes and magazines from the recyclable paper. Paper products which account for 55% of the total waste stream are considered as the largest "product group" in the municipal solid waste. Recyclable glass (1-3% of the total waste stream) or cullet is used to manufacture plain glasses or cups. Plastics constitute about 10-15% of the waste stream. The benefit/cost ratios of production of most of these industries were reported to be higher than 1.5. In order to enhance recycling, legislative measures need to be introduced and enforced. In Thailand, there is, however, no law concerning recycling. There is no incentive for the consumer to separate solid waste for recycling, as the prices of waste in Bangkok are low and inconsistent. Therefore the pricing system should be more organized for recycling to be more effective.     

In situ thermal remediation of DNAPL and LNAPL using electrical resistance heating

Electrical resistance heating (ERH) is an in situ treatment for soil and groundwater remediation that can reduce the time to clean up volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from years to months. The technology is now mature enough to provide site owners with both performance and financial certainty in their site‐closure process. The ability of the technology to remediate soil and groundwater impacted by chlorinated solvents and petroleum hydrocarbons regardless of lithology proves to be beneficial over conventional in situ technologies that are dependent on advective flow. These conventional technologies include: soil vapor recovery, air sparging, and pumpand‐treat, or the delivery of fluids to the subsurface such as chemical oxidization and bioremediation. The technology is very tolerant of subsurface heterogeneities and actually performs as well in low‐permeability silts and clay as in higher‐ permeability sands and gravels. ERH is often implemented around and under buildings and public access areas without upsetting normal business operations. ERH may also be combined with other treatment technologies to optimize and enhance their performance. This article describes how the technology was developed, how it works, and provides two case studies where ERH was used to remediate complex lithologies. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A Comparison Of Collection Systems In European Cities

A 1989 survey compares the conceptual and technical approaches to the collection of municipal solid waste, secondary materials and household hazardous wastes in eight major European cities. The collection systems reflect local structural conditions as well as the different political tasks of municipal waste management. The traditional focus on collection and treatment has been enlarged by separate collection and public education, and economic considerations are of increasing importance.     

In situ remediation of arsenic in contaminated soils

In situ chemical fixation represents a promising and potentially cost‐effective treatment alternative for metal‐contaminated soils. This article presents the findings of the use of iron‐bearing soil amendments to reduce the leachability and bioaccessibility of arsenic in soils impacted by stack fallout from a zinc smelter. The focus of this investigation was to reduce the lead bioaccessibility of the soils through addition with phosphorus‐bearing amendments. However, as phosphorus addition was expected to increase arsenic mobility, the fixation strategy also incorporated use of iron‐bearing amendments to offset or reverse these effects. The findings of this investigation demonstrated that inclusion of iron‐bearing chemicals in the amendment formulation reduced arsenic leachability and bioaccessibility without compromising amendment effectiveness for reducing lead bioaccessibility. These results suggest that in situ chemical fixation has the potential to be an effective strategy for treatment of the impacted soils. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

In situ ammonia removal in bioreactor landfill leachate

Although bioreactor landfills have many advantages associated with them, challenges remain, including the persistence of NH(3)-N in the leachate. Because NH(3)-N is both persistent and toxic, it will likely influence when the landfill is biologically stable and when post-closure monitoring may end. An in situ nitrogen removal technique would be advantageous. Recent studies have shown the efficacy of such processes; however, they are lacking the data required to enable adequate implementation at field-scale bioreactor landfills. Research was conducted to evaluate the kinetics of in situ ammonia removal in both acclimated and unacclimated wastes to aid in developing guidance for field-scale implementation. Results demonstrate that in situ nitrification is feasible in an aerated solid waste environment and that the potential for simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (even under low biodegradable C:N conditions) in field-scale bioreactor landfills is significant due to the presence of both aerobic and anoxic areas. All rate data fit well to Monod kinetics, with specific rates of removal of 0.196 and 0.117 mgN/day-g dry waste and half-saturation constants of 59.6 and 147 mgN/L for acclimated and unacclimated wastes, respectively. Although specific rates of ammonia removal in the unacclimated waste are lower than in the acclimated waste, a relatively quick start-up of ammonia removal was observed in the unacclimated waste. Using the removal rate expressions developed will allow for estimation of the treatment times and volumes necessary to remove NH(3)-N from recirculated landfill leachate.     

In situ Remediation of Metals Comes of Age

Since the early 1970s, technologies for remediating organic contamination in soils and groundwater have evolved through three stages with primary emphasis on (1) gross removal processes, (2) active in situ treatment, and (3) risk-based closure and natural attentuation. Technologies for treating metals contamination are evolving through similar stages. In the late 1990s, metals remediation has arrived at the second stage in which a wide range of in situ technologies are available either to extract metals directly from the subsurface or to render them immobile and harmless. In situ geochemical fixation is an example of a commercial technology capable of addressing a wide range of metals contamination sites. Four case histories demonstrate the versatility of this approach. Other promising technologies for treating metals contamination are also emerging. These include geokinetics, biocatalytic precipitation processes, phytoremediation, and artificial wetlands. As our knowledge continues to grow, the most elegant solutions to metals contamination will rely more and more heavily on the soil's natural capacity to stabilize and immobilize metals over time.     

Potential To Use Waste Tires As Supplemental Fuel In Pulp And Paper Mill Boilers,Cement Kilns And In Road Pavement

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the recycling potential of waste tires as an energy source and for use in road pavement. North Carolina, U.S.A., is used as a case study. Scrap tires may be burned for supplemental fuel in pulp and paper mill boilers and cement kilns. Five pulp and paper mill boilers in North Carolina could consume over 90% of the 6 million tires generated annually in the state. Cement kilns located within 400 km of North Carolina population centers could consume about 6.6 million tires annually. Based on the quantity of pavement laid in North Carolina, nonproprietary and proprietary versions of asphalt rubber concrete have the potential to consume 1.8 and 7.2 million tires, respectively. Rubber modified asphalt concrete has the potential to consume up to 16.5 million tires. However, technological and economic limitations suggest that large scale implementation is unlikely for the short term. Environmental considerations pertaining to each alternative are discussed. Estimates of this nature are critical as planning regions formulate solid waste management plans which include recycling.     

In situ soil stabilization for source control of a lithium and bromate groundwater plume

Historic mineral ore processing operations at the former Cyprus Foote Mineral Site located in East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania, have resulted in the creation of an approximately 10,000‐foot‐long off‐site groundwater plume impacted with lithium and bromate. The plume emanating from the site is impacting the groundwater quality of downgradient private residences. As an early part of the remedial implementation, the private residences were provided with public water connections while the source control efforts were being designed and implemented. Bromate and lithium have recently emerged as groundwater contaminants subjected to increased regulatory scrutiny. This is evidenced in a recently lowered Federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for bromate of 0.010 milligrams per liter and a Medium‐Specific Concentration (MSC) of 0.005 mg/L for lithium recently proposed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) for all groundwater within the Commonwealth. Elevated concentrations for bromate and lithium were detected above the Proposed Remediation Goals (PRGs) for the site, MCLs, and MSCs at a distance of 7,300 feet and 9,200 feet from the source area, respectively. To reduce the contaminant concentrations within the groundwater plume, which will ultimately result in a regressing plume, and to enable the Brownfield redevelopment of this Superfund site, auger‐based, in situ soil stabilization (ISS) with depths of up to 75 feet below ground surface (bgs) was selected as the remedy. The remedial implementation required the temporary removal and relocation of over 100,000 cubic yards of overburden to expose the lithium‐bearing tailings prior to treatment. Using customized 90‐foot‐long, 9‐foot‐diameter augers attached to cranes and drilling platforms, ancillary support excavators, and approximately 21,000 tons of reagent; 2,019 ISS columns were advanced to depths ranging from 10 to 74 feet bgs. This resulted in the creation of an in situ low‐permeablity 117,045‐yd³ “quasi‐monolith,” which encompasses a lateral extent of approximately three acres. The integration of a comprehensive ISS design with a comprehensive long‐term groundwater‐monitoring plan ensured the success of the ISS implementation and will enable a continued evaluation of the off‐site groundwater quality. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Selectivity of Nano Zerovalent Iron in In Situ Chemical Reduction: Challenges and Improvements

Nano zerovalent iron (nZVI) is a promising remediation technology utilizing in situ chemical reduction (ISCR) to clean up contaminated groundwater at hazardous waste sites. The small particle size and large surface area of nZVI result in high reactivity and rapid destruction of contaminants. Over the past 20 years, a great deal of research has advanced the nZVI technology from bench‐scale tests to field‐scale applications. However, to date, the overall number of well‐characterized nZVI field deployments is still small compared to other alternative remedies that are more widely applied. Apart from the relatively high material cost of nZVI and questions regarding possible nanotoxicological side effects, one of the major obstacles to the widespread utilization of nZVI in the field is its short persistence in the environment due to natural reductant demand (NRD). The NRD for nZVI is predominantly due to reduction of water, but other reactions with naturally present oxidants (e.g., oxygen) occur, resulting in situ conditions that are reducing (high in ferrous iron phases and H₂) but with little or no Fe(0). This article reviews the main biogeochemical processes that determine the selectivity and longevity of nZVI, summarizes data from prior (laboratory and field) studies on the longevity of various common types of nZVI, and describes modifications of nZVI that could improve its selectivity and longevity for full‐scale applications of ISCR. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

In Situ Compatibilization of Isotactic Polypropylene and High-Density Polyethylene by a Melt Cobranching Reaction

Incompatible polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) are difficult to separate in mixed recycling streams such as waste plastic packaging, which makes polyolefin mixtures unsuitable for high-quality products. In this work, based on the free radical branching reaction, a co-branching reaction of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) blends was carried out in the presence of the peroxide, free radical regulator and multifunctional acrylate monomer, and a star-like long-chain branching (LCB) copolymer was obtained. The effect of in situ compatibilization on the structures and mechanical properties of iPP/HDPE was investigated, and the compatibilization mechanism was discussed. Results showed that the mechanical properties of the modified blends were largely improved, and efficient in-situ compatibilization of iPP and HDPE could be taken place in a wide process window. Moreover, the sizes of the dispersed phase in the modified blends were clearly decreased, and the interfacial thickness increased. Compared with the pure iPP/HDPE blend, the initial crystallization temperature of iPP in the modified iPP/HDPE blend was increased, and long branched chains of the LCB copolymers were physically entangled with the chemical identical homopolymers or even participated in the crystallization of iPP and HDPE. Thanks to the in situ compatibilization strategy, the compatibility of iPP/HDPE was significantly improved.

     

Magnetic Nanocrystalline Cellulose: Azithromycin Adsorption and In Vitro Biological Activity Against Melanoma Cells

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - This study reports a simple methodology of obtaining magnetic nanocrystalline cellulose under very mild conditions employing only Fe2+ as the iron source,...