Batch adsorption of toxic Cr(VI) ion from an aqueous solution using lumbang (Aleurites moluccana) activated carbon-chitosan composite crosslinked with epichlorohydrin as an adsorbent was investigated. The adsorption experiments were performed at varying pH, agitation time, initial Cr(VI) ion concentration, temperature, and adsorbent dose. At an initial concentration of 60 ppm Cr(VI), the maximum adsorption was observed at pH 3, adsorbent dose of 3 g/L, contact time of 75 min, and temperature of 30 o C. Analysis of the experimental data using different kinetic models revealed that the biosorption phenomenon behaved under a pseudo second-order rate mechanism.

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New medicines are urgently required to treat the fatal neuromuscular disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD involves progressive muscle damage and weakness, which are preceded by oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is a potent small molecule nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activator with current clinical utility in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and psoriasis. Pharmaceutical targeting of Nrf2 by DMF has strong translational potential for DMD, given it: (1) promotes antioxidant defence systems; (2) has a potent immuno-modulatory profile; and (3) can be rapidly re-purposed into clinical care strategies for DMD patients. Here, we tested two weeks of daily 100mg/kg DMF versus 5mg/kg standard care prednisone (PRED) treatment during the peak muscle degeneration period in juvenile mdx mice, the gold standard murine DMD model. Both drugs modulated seed genes driving the DMD disease program and improved muscle force production in fast-twitch muscle. However, only DMF showed pro-mitochondrial effects that protected contracting muscles from fatigue, improved histopathology and augmented clinically compatible muscle function tests. In contrast, PRED treatment stunted mouse growth, worsened histopathology and modulated many normally expressed inflammatory and extracellular matrix (ECM) genes consistent with pan immunosuppression. These findings suggest DMF could be a more selective modulator of the DMD disease program with better efficacy and fewer side effects than standard care PRED therapy warranting follow-up studies to progress clinical translation.

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