AIM: To observe the changes in infiltrating macrophages (M?)and extracellular matrix (ECM) in the kidney in the progressive course of nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN). METHODS: NTN model was established with rabbit-anti-rat nephrotoxic serum. On day 3, 7, 15, 30 and 90, renal biopsies were performed. Renal histology was checked under light microscopy with HE and Masson's trichrome staining sections. M?, fibronectin (FN), type Ⅲ and Ⅳ collagen were examined with immunohistochemistry ABC method. RESULTS: Infiltration of M? appeared on day 3 of NTN and preceded changes of FN and collagen. On day 15 of NTN, all nephritic animals had significant proteinuria, increased serum creatinine, infiltration of M? and deposit of entracellular matrix. On day 90 of NTN, seven nephritic animals improved significantly, while other five developed renal scarring with diffuse infiltration of M? which positively paralleled to renal function and deposit of FN, type Ⅲ and Ⅳ collagen. CONCLUSION: M? infiltrating into renal tissue enhances deposit of ECM and therefore plays important roles in progression or improvement of NTN.

This study aimed to examine the preparation of cationic lipid microbubble (CLM), and evaluate its physical and chemical properties and toxicity, measure the gene transfection efficiency by ultrasound triggered microbobble destruction (UTMD) in combination with CLM. The CLM was prepared by the method of the thin film hydration, and its morphology was observed under the electron microscopy at 1st, 3rd, 7th, 10th, and 14th day after preparation, respectively. The size, Zeta potential and stability of CLM were tested. The acute toxicity of CLM was assessed. The green fluorescent protein gene (EGFP) transfection efficiency was evaluated. The experiment grouping was as follows: naked plasmid group (P group), ultrasonic irradiation plus naked plasmid group (P-US group), naked plasmid plus CLM group (P-CLM group), naked plasmid plus ultrasound and CLM group (UTMD group). The expression of EGFP was detected by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. The results showed that CLMs were spherical in shape, with the similar size and good distribution degree under the light and electron microscopies. The size of CLMs was varied from 250.4±88.3 to 399.0±99.8 nm and the Zeta potential of CLMs from 18.80±4.97 to 20.1±3.1 mV. The EGFP expression was the strongest in the UTMD group, followed by the P-CLM group, P-US group and P group. Flow cytometry results were consistent with those of fluorescent microscopy. The transfection efficiency was substantially increased in the P-US group, P-CLM group and UTMD group as compared with that in the P group, almost 7 times, 10 times and 30 times higher than that in the P group respectively. It is suggested that CLMs prepared by the method of thin film hydration are uniform in diameter, and proved non-toxic. UTMD combined with CLM can significantly increase the transfection efficiency of EGFP to targeted cells.

One of the primary purposes of the innovative development of ethnomedicines is to use their excellent safety and significant efficacy to serve a broader population.To achieve this purpose,modern scientific and technological means should be referenced,and relevant national laws and regulations as well as technical guides should be strictly followed to develop standards and to perform systemic research in producing ethnomedicines.Finally,ethnomedicines,which are applied to a limited extent in ethnic areas,can be transformed into safe,effective,and quality-controllable medical products to relieve the pain of more patients.The innovative development path of ethnomedicines includes the following three primary stages:resource study,standardized development research,and industrialization of the achievements and efforts for internationalization.The implementation of this path is always guaranteed by the research and development platform and the talent team.This article is based on the accumulation of long-term practice and is combined with the relevant disciplines,laws and regulations,and technical guidance from the research and development of ethnomedicines.The intention is to perform an in-depth analysis and explanation of the major research thinking,methods,contents,and technical paths involved in all stages of the innovative development path of ethnomedicines to provide useful references for the development of proper ethnomedicine use.

Innovative development extends the vitality of ethnomedicines.Developing ethnomedicines is not only beneficial to the public but also to the related industry and transforms economic growth,driving local social and economic development further.Its economic benefit can be used to optimize and promote the hardware and software of the platform,as well as support the sustainable development of ethnomedicines.Apart from research and discussion on the innovative development of ethnomedicines on the basis of theory and regulations,this series of articles also summarizes cases that are conducive to the overall understanding of the necessity and feasibility of the innovative development.In terms of industrial development,large enterprises and products,such as Yunnan Baiyao,Guizhou Miao ethnomedicines,Cheezheng Tibetan Medicine,products developed from Dengzhanhua (Erigeron breviscapus),the Gold series of Yi ethnomedicines,and products developed from Sanqi (Panax notoginseng),in China are introduced and summarized,focusing on resource superiority,sustainable innovation,standard research and development,and production,as well as intellectual property protection.

Because of the unsatisfactory treatment options for breast cancer (BC), there is a need to develop novel therapeutic approaches for this malignancy. One such strategy is chemotherapy using non-toxic dietary substances and botanical products. Studies have shown that Panduratin A (PA) possesses many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer activities. In the present study, we provide evidence that PA treatment of MCF-7 BC cells resulted in a time- and dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth with an IC50 of 15 µM and no to little effect on normal human MCF-10A breast cells. To define the mechanism of these anti-proliferative effects of PA, we determined its effect critical molecular events known to regulate the cell cycle and apoptotic machinery. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometric analysis of Annexin V-FITC staining provided evidence for the induction of apoptosis. PA treatment of BC cells resulted in increased activity/expression of mitochondrial cytochrome C, caspases 7, 8 and 9 with a significant increase in the Bax:Bcl-2 ratio, suggesting the involvement of a mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry showed that PA treatment of cells resulted in G0/G1 arrest in a dose-dependent manner. Immunoblot analysis data revealed that, in MCF-7 cell lines, PA treatment resulted in the dose-dependent (i) induction of p21WAF1/Cip1 and p27Kip1, (ii) downregulation of Cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and (iii) decrease in cyclin D1. These findings suggest that PA may be an effective therapeutic agent against BC.
Apoptosis* ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Caspases ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints* ; Cell Cycle* ; Cell Proliferation* ; Cyclin D1 ; Cyclins ; Cytochromes c ; Down-Regulation ; Drug Therapy ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Insurance Benefits ; MCF-7 Cells ; Phosphotransferases

This study aimed to examine the preparation of cationic lipid microbubble (CLM),and evaluate its physical and chemical properties and toxicity,measure the gene transfection efficiency by ultrasound triggered microbobble destruction (UTMD) in combination with CLM.The CLM was prepared by the method of the thin film hydration,and its morphology was observed under the electron microscopy at 1st,3rd,7th,10th,and 14th day after preparation,respectively.The size,Zeta potential and stability of CLM were tested.The acute toxicity of CLM was assessed.The green fluorescent protein gene (EGFP) transfection efficiency was evaluated.The experiment grouping was as follows:naked plasmid group (P group),ultrasonic irradiation plus naked plasmid group (P-US group),naked plasmid plus CLM group (P-CLM group),naked plasmid plus ultrasound and CLM group (UTMD group).The expression of EGFP was detected by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry.The results showed that CLMs were spherical in shape,with the similar size and good distribution degree under the light and electron microscopies.The size of CLMs was varied from 250.4±88.3 to 399.0±99.8 nm and the Zeta potential of CLMs from 18.80±4.97 to 20.1 ±3.1 mV.The EGFP expression was the strongest in the UTMD group,followed by the P-CLM group,P-US group and P group.Flow eytometry results were consistent with those of fluorescent microscopy.The transfection efficiency was substantially increased in the P-US group,P-CLM group and UTMD group as compared with that in the P group,almost 7 times,10 times and 30 times higher than that in the P group respectively.It is suggested that CLMs prepared by the method of thin film hydration are uniform in diameter,and proved non-toxic.UTMD combined with CLM can significantly increase the transfection efficiency of EGFP to targeted cells.