Abstract: Emerging evidence indicates that diminished activity of the vasoprotective axis of the renin-angiotensin system, constituting angiotensin converting enzyme2 (ACE2) and its enzymatic product, angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] contribute to pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, clinical success for long-term delivery of ACE2 or Ang-(1-7) would require stability and ease of administration to increase patient compliance. Chloroplast expression of therapeutic proteins enables their bioencapsulation within plant cells to protect from acids and gastric enzymes; fusion to a transmucosal carrier facilitates effective systemic absorption. Oral feeding of rats with bioencapsulated ACE2 or Ang-(1-7) attenuated monocrotaline (MCT)-induced increase in right ventricular systolic pressure, decreased pulmonary vessel wall thickness and improved right heart function in both prevention and reversal protocols.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for making absorbent cores used in disposable hygiene pads, the method or device comprising three steps: (A) suctioning of wood pulp fibers mixed with super absorbent polymers into a net structure on a base tissue to form an absorbent core; (B) compressing and embossing absorbent material; and (C) shaping of the absorbent core. The method of the current invention can be used for making different kinds of absorbent pad products. While increasing the tear strength of the product, the method realizes and simplifies the process of making both the absorbent material and the hygiene pad utilizing the absorbent material on the same manufacturing line, and reduces the cost of making the absorbent pads. The absorbent core made by applying the method of the current invention has a new structure formed by super absorbent polymers and wood pulp fibers, wherein the structure enables the super absorbent polymers to be evenly distributed in between the wood pulp fibers.

Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into endoderm-derived cells, and particularly for preventing, by using a TGF inhibitor or an SNAI1 inhibitor, differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into the endoderm-derived cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating and/or preventing age related macular degeneration and other conditions involving macular degeneration, ocular neovascularization, or inflammation, including ocular inflammation. In some embodiments, the methods comprise administering an expression vector that delivers a secretable and cell penetrating Nrf2 to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Emerging evidence indicates that diminished activity of the vasoprotective axis of the renin-angiotensin system, constituting angiotensin converting enzyme2 (ACE2) and its enzymatic product, angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] contribute to pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, clinical success for long-term delivery of ACE2 or Ang-(1-7) would require stability and ease of administration to increase patient compliance. Chloroplast expression of therapeutic proteins enables their bioencapsulation within plant cells to protect from acids and gastric enzymes; fusion to a transmucosal carrier facilitates effective systemic absorption. Oral feeding of rats with bioencapsulated ACE2 or Ang-(1-7) attenuated monocrotaline (MCT)-induced increase in right ventricular systolic pressure, decreased pulmonary vessel wall thickness and improved right heart function in both prevention and reversal protocols.

Abstract: A method and a device for applying large areas of glue used for a bottom film of an absorbent pad at the four corners of the bottom film of the absorbent pad of a health care article is described. The processes includes (a) gluing and conveying a release paper; (b) cutting the glued release paper; and (c) transferring the glue from the release paper to the absorbent pad.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating and/or preventing age related macular degeneration and other conditions involving macular degeneration, ocular neovascularization, or ocular inflammation. In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that involves administering an expression vector that delivers a secretable and cell penetrating CARD to a subject in need of treatment or prevention of age-related macular degeneration or another condition involving macular degeneration or ocular neovascularization.

Abstract: The invention provides a multilayer-structure absorbent core for a disposable absorbent article, and a method for preparing the absorbent core, wherein the absorbent core is compacted and formed by each layer; its surface presents a grid-shaped groove; the depth at the intersection point of the grid-shaped groove is bigger than that at the non-intersection point thereof. The invention adopts a new synchronous split-level process; that is, a linear grid-shaped trapezoid-shaped compaction mechanism, of which the height is smaller than that of a circular-platform structure, incompletely compacts the absorbent core and separates the absorbent core into numerous small convex spaces, while a circular-platform structure carries out the dot-shaped compaction for the absorbent core. Under the conditions that the liquid-absorption functions of a deflector layer and a reservoir layer are maintained, the movement of polymer water-absorption material is completely limited while the strength of a core body is enhanced.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for applying large areas of glue used for a bottom film of an absorbent pad at the four corners of the bottom film of the absorbent pad of a health care article, comprising the following processes and steps: (a) gluing and conveying a release paper; (b) cutting the glued release paper; and (c) transferring an adhesive glue piece of the release paper. The invention also relates to a device for achieving the method for applying large areas of glue used for the bottom film of the absorbent pad at the four corners of the bottom film of the absorbent pad of the health care article. As to a glue piece applied on the bottom film of the absorbent pad of the invention, its peeling force may reach 20 N or more than 20 N; the width of the lump glue applied on the bottom film of the absorbent pad may reach 60 mm-450 mm; its length may reach 120 mm-1000 mm; and the normal production speed of the improved machine of the absorbent pad may reach 120-180 m/minute.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for making absorbent cores used in disposable hygiene pads, the method or device comprising three steps: (A) suctioning of wood pulp fibers mixed with super absorbent polymers into a net structure on a base tissue to form an absorbent core; (B) compressing and embossing absorbent material; and (C) shaping of the absorbent core. The method of the current invention can be used for making different kinds of absorbent pad products. While increasing the tear strength of the product, the method realizes and simplifies the process of making both the absorbent material and the hygiene pad utilizing the absorbent material on the same manufacturing line, and reduces the cost of making the absorbent pads. The absorbent core made by applying the method of the current invention has a new structure formed by super absorbent polymers and wood pulp fibers, wherein the structure enables the super absorbent polymers to be evenly distributed in between the wood pulp fibers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a delivery vector for transferring a small peptide coding sequence to a cell for expression of the small peptide coding sequence within the cell. The delivery vector comprises a secretory signal sequence; a sequence encoding a carrier protein operatively associated with the secretory signal sequence; a sequence encoding a cleavage site operatively associated with the sequence encoding a carrier protein; and a sequence encoding a small peptide operatively associated with the sequence encoding a cleavage site.