The conversion of abundant and low-cost biomass waste into highly efficient two-electron oxygen reduction(ORR)electrocatalyst is an important link in the degradation of pollutants in industrial wastewater through the electro-Fenton process.In this work,porous biocarbon materials doped with manganese and nitrogen(MnNBC)were prepared from corn stalk.The H2O2 selectivity of MnNBC in acidic media was up to 81% @0.6 Vvs RHE,also MnNBC exhibited a long-term stability in a 10-h uninterrupted lifetime test.The ORR activity of MnNBC could be attributed to the synergistic effect of the hierarchical porous structure,improved defect level and heteroatom doping.Moreover,MnNBC as a cathode material for the electro-Fenton system could completely degrade four kinds of common organic dye pollutants,e.g.,Rhodamine B,methyl orange,methylene blue and crystal violet(25 mg/L),respectively,within 40?60 min.The present study provided valuable insights into the transformation of corn stalk waste into efficient cathode materials for the electro-Fenton process.

Kallistatin (Kal) is a negative acute phase endogenous protein which can inhibit tumor angiogenesis, growth and metastasis effectively. To express and purify recombinant human kallistatin (rHKal), and characterize its biological activity, P. pastoris was transformed with pPIC9-Kal/GS115 (His4) to express rHKal. The fermentation was carried out in a 7.5 L bioreactor with high density cell culture. 1%-2% methanol was added to the medium to induce the expression of rHKal. The secretion was purified with phenyl sepharose, G-25 sepharose, heparin sepharose and Sephacryl S-100 chromatography. The biological activity of purified bulk rHKal on HUVEC was evaluated with MTT and tube formation assays. The final expression of rHKal in the supernatant reached 50 mg x L(-1), the purity of bulk rHKal after purification was above 98%. A dose-dependent inhibition of rHKal on HUVEC proliferation was observed, however, a U-shaped dose-response curve of rHKal on capillary formation of HUVEC was revealed. The described protocol provides an effective means for preparing rHKal that could be used for anti-angiogenesis therapy in the future.
Bioreactors ; Capillaries ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Fermentation ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Serpins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology

Kallistatin (Kal) is a negative acute phase endogenous protein which can inhibit tumor angiogenesis, growth and metastasis effectively. To express and purify recombinant human kallistatin (rHKal), and characterize its biological activity, P. pastoris was transformed with pPIC9-Kal/GS115 (His4) to express rHKal. The fermentation was carried out in a 7.5 L bioreactor with high density cell culture. 1%-2% methanol was added to the medium to induce the expression of rHKal. The secretion was purified with phenyl sepharose, G-25 sepharose, heparin sepharose and Sephacryl S-100 chromatography. The biological activity of purified bulk rHKal on HUVEC was evaluated with MTT and tube formation assays. The final expression of rHKal in the supernatant reached 50 mg x L(-1), the purity of bulk rHKal after purification was above 98%. A dose-dependent inhibition of rHKal on HUVEC proliferation was observed, however, a U-shaped dose-response curve of rHKal on capillary formation of HUVEC was revealed. The described protocol provides an effective means for preparing rHKal that could be used for anti-angiogenesis therapy in the future.

The oral administration of bioactive macromolecular drugs such as proteins, peptides and nucleic acids represents unprecedented challenges from the drug delivery point of view. One key consideration is how to overcome the gastrointestinal tract absorption barrier. Recent studies suggest that microfold cell (M cell), a kind of specialized antigen-sampling epithelial cell which is characterized by a high endocytic rate and low degradation ability, may play an important role in macromolecule oral absorption. The development of an in vitro M cell coculture system and its modified models greatly advanced the study of M cells and the development of oral delivery system for macromolecular drugs. The special structure, function and formation characteristics, and biomarkers of M cell are summarized in this review. The applications of in vitro M cell models in developing oral delivery system ofbioactive macromolecular drugs are discussed.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; cytology ; Macromolecular Substances ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Models, Biological ; Peptides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Peyer's Patches ; cytology ; Proteins ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Vaccines ; pharmacokinetics

The oral administration of bioactive macromolecular drugs such as proteins, peptides and nucleic acids represents unprecedented challenges from the drug delivery point of view. One key consideration is how to overcome the gastrointestinal tract absorption barrier. Recent studies suggest that microfold cell (M cell), a kind of specialized antigen-sampling epithelial cell which is characterized by a high endocytic rate and low degradation ability, may play an important role in macromolecule oral absorption. The development of an in vitro M cell coculture system and its modified models greatly advanced the study of M cells and the development of oral delivery system for macromolecular drugs. The special structure, function and formation characteristics, and biomarkers of M cell are summarized in this review. The applications of in vitro M cell models in developing oral delivery system ofbioactive macromolecular drugs are discussed.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of acupuncture on the expression of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) in the subcutaneous fascia of SD rats.

METHODSEighteen SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=3) including 5 acupuncture groups and a control group. The rats in the 5 acupuncture groups received electro-acupuncture therapy in the regions of the inguinal groove, and at 0, 1, 6, 12, and 36 h after the last therapy, the superfacial fascia surrounding the acupuncture point (about 1.5 cm in diameter) were collected. The fascia tissues at the corresponding sites and at the acupoint Zusanli (ST36) were obtained from the control rats. The expression of ERK1/2 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in the tissues were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 expressions were detected in the tissues harvested from both the acupoint and the non-acupoint in the control rats with similar expression intensities. In the rats of each acupuncture group, ERK1/2 expression was significantly increased on the acupuncture side in comparison with the control side.

CONCLUSIONThe normal loose connective tissue may participate in tissue proliferation and differentiation possibly via phosphorylation of ERK. Acupuncture can promote the signal transduction pathway of ERK, which can be a possible mechanism for the effect of acupuncture in modulating the physiopathological conditions.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Fascia ; enzymology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin ; Time Factors