Plant-derived nanovesicles: Further exploration of biomedical function and application potential

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are phospholipid bilayer vesicles actively secreted by cells, that contain a variety of functional nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids, and are important mediums of intercellular communication. Based on their natural properties, EVs can not only retain the pharmacological effects of their source cells but also serve as natural delivery carriers. Among them, plant-derived nanovesicles (PNVs) are characterized as natural disease therapeutics with many advantages such as simplicity, safety, eco-friendliness, low cost, and low toxicity due to their abundant resources, large yield, and low risk of immunogenicity in vivo. This review systematically introduces the biogenesis, isolation methods, physical characterization, and components of PNVs, and describes their administration and cellular uptake as therapeutic agents. We highlight the therapeutic potential of PNVs as therapeutic agents and drug delivery carriers, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, wound healing, regeneration, and antiaging properties as well as their potential use in the treatment of liver disease and COVID-19. Finally, the toxicity and immunogenicity, the current clinical application, and the possible challenges in the future development of PNVs were analyzed. We expect the functions of PNVs to be further explored to promote clinical translation, thereby facilitating the development of a new framework for the treatment of human diseases.

Optimization of extraction process of prescription medicinal materials of compound Yangshe granules / 药学实践杂志

Objective Optimizing the extraction process of prescription medicinal materials of hospital preparation of compound Yangshe granules. Methods A high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) quantitative method was established for deacetyl asperulosidicacid methyl ester (DME) and ferulic acid (FC) of the active ingredient. Based on the content of DME, FC and the yield of extract, the extraction process of compound Yangshe granule extract was optimized using central composite design-response surface methodology. Results The established HPLC method of quantification of active components in compound Yangshe granules met the requirements of method validation. The optimal extraction process optimized by central composite design-response surface methodology were as follows: the weight of extraction solvent was 12 times of the medicinal slices, the alcohol concentration was 73% and the extraction time was 60 min. Conclusion In this study, the quantitative method of active components in compound Yangshe granule by HPLC has been successfully established, and the optimized extraction process is simple and easy to operate with good repeatability.

Construction and function of a root-specific promoter SRSP / 生物工程学报

The responsibility of root is absorbing water and nutrients, it is an important plant tissue, but easily to be affected by biotic and abiotic stresses, affecting crop growth and yield. The design of a synthetic root-specific promoter provides candidate promoters for the functional analysis and efficient expression of stress-related genes in crop roots. In this study, a synthetic root-specific module (pro-SRS) was designed using tandem four-copies of root specific cis-acting elements (OSE1ROOTNODULE, OSE2ROOTNODULE, SP8BFIBSP8AIB, and ROOTMOTIFAPOX1), and fused with minimal promoter from the CaMV 35S promoter to synthesize an artificially synthetic SRSP promoter. The SRSP promoter was cloned in pCAMBIA2300.1 by replacing CaMV 35S promoter so as to drive GUS expression. The constructs with SRSP promoter were transformed in tobacco by Agrobacterium-mediated method. SRSP promoter conferred root-specific expression in transgenic tobacco plants through Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) analysis and GUS histochemical staining analysis. It is indicated that the repeated arrangement of cis-acting elements can realize the expected function of the promoter. This study laid a theoretical foundation for the rational design of tissue-specific promoters.

Case study on the conversions of private medical institutions / 中华医院管理杂志

Objective To understand the issues in the conversion of private medical institutions and explore the possible options.Methods Case study and in-depth interview were employed in 6 converted medical institutions.Results The reasons for conversion were diversified,and the process was not standardized.The attitudes towards how to deal with the net assets differed so much among the executives.The legislation and supervision by the government were still under-developed.Conclusion The process for the conversion should be standardized and the ownership of the net assets should be clearly defined.The legislation and supervision on private medical institutions should be enhanced.

Study on the new regulations of private medical institutions in USA and its implications for China / 中华医院管理杂志

In the face of conversions of private medical institutions in the United States,the federal and state governments of the United States have developed corresponding laws and policies to adapt to the situation.The paper made an analysis of the profile and causes of the changed business nature of such institutions,and an introduction to the laws on which such change took place,the roles and responsibilities of government departments,the assets disposal and tax exemption status as well as the pricing policies.