Cocktail of chemical compounds robustly promoting cell reprogramming protects liver against acute injury

Tissue damage induces cells into reprogramming-like cellular state, which contributes to tissue regeneration. However, whether factors promoting the cell repro- gramming favor tissue regeneration remains elusive. Here we identified combination of small chemical com- pounds including drug cocktails robustly promoting in vitro cell reprogramming. We then administrated the drug cocktails to mice with acute liver injuries induced by partial hepatectomy or toxic treatment. Our results demonstrated that the drug cocktails which promoted cell reprogramming in vitro improved liver regeneration and hepatic function in vivo after acute injuries. The underlying mechanism could be that expression of pluripotent genes activated after injury is further upregulated by drug cocktails. Thus our study offers proof-of-concept evidence that cocktail of clinical com- pounds improving cell reprogramming favors tissue recovery after acute damages, which is an attractive strategy for regenerative purpose.

Removal of estrogens by electrochemical oxidation process

Treatments of estrogens such as Estrone （El）, Estradiol （E2） and Ethinylestradiol （EE2） were conducted using an electrolytic reactor equipped with multi-packed granular glassy carbon electrodes. Experimental results showed that El, E2 and EE2 were oxidized in the range of 0.45-0.85 V and were removed through electro-polymerization. Observed data from continuous experiments were in good agreement with calculated results by a mathematical model constructed based on mass transfer limitation. In continuous treatment of trace estrogens （1 μg/L）, 98% of El, E2 and EE2 were stably removed. At high loading rate （100 μg/L）, removal efficiency of E1 was kept around 74%-88% for 21 days, but removal efficiency reduced due to passivation of electrodes. However, removal efficiency was recovered after electrochemical regeneration of electrodes in presence of ozone. Electric energy consumption was observed in the range of 1-2 Wh/m3. From these results, we concluded that the present electrochemical process would be an alternative removal of estrogens.

Zeolite-based Fenton-like catalysis for pollutant removal and reclamation from wastewater

Wastewater treatment and reclamation from wastewater are essential for the sustainable use of water resource.Zeolite-based heterogeneous catalysis shows great potential in circumventing the current limitations on pollutant removal and transformation to useful chemicals,inspiring advancements towards practical water treatment.This paper summarizes the methods for synthesizing zeolite-based catalyst,and the corresponding advantages and disadvantages.In comparison with traditional Fenton-like reaction,the superiority of zeolite-based catalysis lies in less sludge,wide pH range and easy recyclability.Accordingly,applications of zeolite-based Fenton-like catalysis(ZFCs)in pollutant removal and reclamation of wastewater were reviewed.Emphasis was placed on the methodological strategies in improving ZFCs,including the combination of external driving force(e.g.,photocatalysis or electrochemistry),as well as the introduction of various transition metals into zeolite-based catalyst.Possible challenges and future perspectives for ZFCs were proposed.