Search

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are gaining significant interest as an attractive substitute for traditional fuel cells, with higher energy density, lower environmental pollution, and better operation efficiency. However, the cathode reaction, i.e., the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), is widely proved to be inefficient, and therefore an obstacle to the widespread development of PEMFCs. The requirement for affordable highly‐efficient ORR catalysts is extremely urgent to be met, especially at fuel cell level. Unfortunately, most previous reports focus on the ORR performance at rotating disk electrodes (RDE) level instead of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) level, making it harder to evaluate ORR catalysts operating under real vehicle conditions. Obviously, it is extremely necessary to develop an in‐depth understanding of the structure‐activity relationship of highly‐efficient ORR catalysts applied at MEA level. In this work, an overview of the latest advances in ORR catalysts is provided with an emphasis on their performance at MEA level, hoping to cover the novel and systemic insights for innovative and efficient ORR catalyst design and applications in PEMFCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus is an important factor associated with cervical cancer, and the distribution of HPV types varies greatly worldwide. Determination of type-specific HPV prevalence constitutes an important step towards the development of vaccines for the prevention of cervical cancer. Methods The human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes in 190 cervical cancer specimens taken from the Sichuan province, the most populous province of Southwest China, were detected by a combination of MY09/11 consensus primers PCR (MY09/11 PCR), type-specific primers one-step PCR (One-step TS PCR) and E6/E7 gene type-specific primers nested PCR (Nested TS PCR). The prevalence and distribution of HPV in patients with cervical cancer, especially for HPV types 16, 18, 52, 58 and 59, suspected to be most common in certain parts of China, was investigated. Results The HPV infection rates detected by MY09/11 PCR, One-step TS PCR and Nested TS PCR were 159 (83.7%), 145 (76.3%) and 172 (90.5%), respectively. The overall HPV prevalence was 93.2% (177/190). The positive specimens for HPV16, 18, 52, 58 and 59 detected by One-step TS-PCR were 111 (58.4%), 14 (7.4%), 6 (3.2%), 13 (6.8%) and 4 (2.1%), respectively. By Nested TS-PCR analysis, the detection rates of HPV16, 52, 58 and 59 were increased to 140 (73.7%), 30 (15.8%), 37 (19.5%) and 25 (13.2%), while only 4 (2.1%) additional specimens were found to be infected with HPV18. Conclusion Our data demonstrate that, besides HPV 16, which was found to be the most prevalent type, HPV types 58, 52 and 59 are more prevalent than HPV18 in women with cervical cancer in the Sichuan area of China.

Cyclophosphamide (CY) is a DNA alkylating agent, which is widely used with other chemotherapy drugs in the treatment of various types of cancer. It can be used not only as a chemotherapeutic but also as an immunomodulatory agent to inhibit IL-10 expression and T regulatory cells (Tregs). Fibroblast activation protein α (FAPα) is expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment. Immunotherapy based on FAPα, as a tumor stromal antigen, typically induces specific immune response targeting the tumor microenvironment. This study evaluated the efficacy of a previously unreported CY combination strategy to enhance the limited anti-tumor effect of a DNA vaccine targeting FAPα. The results suggested CY administration could promote the percentage of splenic CD8+ T cells and decrease the proportion of CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3+ Tregs in spleen. In tumor tissues, levels of immunosuppressive cytokines including IL-10 and CXCL-12 were also reduced. Meanwhile, the CY combination did not impair the FAPα-specific immunity induced by the DNA vaccine and further reduced tumor stromal factors. Most importantly, FAP-vaccinated mice also treated with CY chemotherapy showed a marked suppression of tumor growth (inhibition ratio =80%) and a prolongation of survival time. Thus, the combination of FAPα immunotherapy and chemotherapy with CY offers new insights into improving cancer therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing evidence shows that grains may play a role in disease prevention beyond the simple provision of energy and nutrients. It has been reported that some components contained in grains exert their functional effects on viral and bacterial infections and protect against various cancers. However, until now, hardly any intervention studies have investigated the effects of grains or grain based extracts on the inhibition of HIV-1 infection. In this study, the antiviral function of a zymolytic grain based extract (ZGE) was detected in vitro and in rats, and the antiviral mechanism was investigated. Results showed that ZGE had an inhibition effect on HIV-1 infection in vitro with low cytotoxic effects. The study of the mechanism demonstrated that this functional food possibly acted on the viral surface structure protein gp120 which is responsible for cell binding, as well as on the postattachment stage of the virus. The sera of model rats administrated with this food by gavage presented anti-infection abilities against HIV-1 in vitro during a serum concentration associated period of time. These findings provide valuable insights into the application of ZGE on the control of viral load, which may contribute to future anti-HIV treatment with less adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancers especially in late and metastatic stages remain refractory to treatment despite advances in surgical techniques and chemotherapy. Suicide gene therapy based on adenoviral technology will be promising strategies for such advanced diseases. We previously showed that co-expression of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) and Escherichia coli nitroreductase (Coli.NTR) by an hTERT-driven adenovirus vector resulted in additive anti-tumor effects in breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. As many tumor tissue and cancer cells express low level of coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR), which is the functional receptor for the fiber protein of human adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5), novel Ad5 vectors containing genetically modifi ed fiber are attractive vehicles for achieving targeted gene transfer and improving suicide gene expression in these cancer cells. In the present study, we first built a simplified Ad5 vector platform for fiber modification and quick detection for gene transfer. Then a fiber-modified adenovirus vector containing an RGD motif in the HI loop of the fiber knob was constructed. After recombined with HSV-TK and Coli.NTR gene, this fiber-modified Ad5 vector (Ad-RGD-hT-TK/NTR) was compared with that of our previously constructed Ad5 vector (Ad-hT-TK/NTR) for its therapeutic effects in human breast cancer cell lines. The anti-tumor activity of Ad-RGD-hT-TK/NTR was significantly enhanced compared with Ad-hT-TK/NTR both in vitro and in vivo. This new vector platform provided a robust and simplified approach for capsid modification, and the fiber-modified Ad5 with double suicide genes under the control of hTERT promoter would be a useful gene therapy strategy for breast cancer.

Objective: To develop a vector inserted with complete genome of poliovirus strain Sabin I., Methods: The 3 fragments of the complete genome of Sabin I was amplified and cloned to pEASY-T3 by molecular biological technology. These cloned pEASY-T3 were then digested by Restriction enzymes and ligated to pWSK29 step by step and identified., Results: The complete genome of poliovirus strain Sabin I was successfully cloned into vector pWSK29 with 9 nucleotide mutations., Conclusion: The complete genome plasmid was constructed and it provided a basis for further research of the function of Sabin I.

Objective: To develop a coexpression plasmid which expressing envelope protein and nucleoprotein of hepatitis B virus and know of its expressing efficiency., Methods: The plasmid coexpressing envelope protein and nucleoprotein of hepatitis B virus under the CMV promoter respectively was constructed by gene recombination. Cellular expression was assessed by ELISA., Results: Multiple cloning site was inserted into expression vector contain hepatitis B virus PreS2-S gene. And expression unit containing hepatitis B virus PreC-C was cloned into it. HBsAg and HBeAg was detected both in the culture supernatant and in the cells., Conclusion: The coexpressing plasmid was constructed successfully and it can express effectively in vitro. This has provided a basis for further research of the therapeutic HBV DNA vaccine.

Based on the computer simulation, we analyzed hydrophobicity, potential epitope of recombined subtypes HIV-1 Env protein (851 amino acids) from Guangxi in China. Compared with conservative peptides of other subtypes in env protein, three sequences (469-511aa, 538-674aa, 700-734aa) were selected to recombine into a chimeric gene that codes three conservative epitope peptides with stronger antigencity, and was constructed in the yeast expression plasmid pPICZB. Chimeric proteins were expressed in Pichia pastoris under the induction of methanol, and were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Westernblot. The results showed that fusion proteins of three-segment antigen were expressed in Pichia pastoris and that specific protein band at the site of 40kD was target protein, which is interacted with HIV-1 serum. The target proteins were purified by metal Ni-sepharose 4B, and were demonstrated to possess good antigenic specificity from the data of ELISA. This chimeric antigen may be used as research and developed into HIV diagnostic reagents.