Currently, the model of the research evaluation system of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is set up through imitating that of western medicine. The application of quantitative research to TCM does promote the advance of modernization of TCM, which explore the part of TCM that can be measured in quantitative method. However, TCM has a background of profound philosophy and culture. The priority of TCM can not be expressed through quantitative research alone. On the contrary, qualitative research is more suitable to most research area of TCM. In TCM clinical research, the priority of TCM should be fully explored. It is very significant to set up the effectiveness evaluation system of TCM, especially by applying qualitative research to the diagnosis and the evaluation of treatment results and combining quantitative research.

Selenium, a metalloid mineral micronutrient,is an essential component for the adequate and healthy life of human, animals, and some other microorganisms.Selenium has antioxidative and oxidative effects on living organisms.Selenium deficiency has been associated with impaired function of the immune system.Selenium deficiency appears to enhance the virulence or progression of some viral infections.Selenium deficiency results in decreased activity of glutathione peroxidase, increasing oxidative damage and the likelihood of mutations in the viral genome.The safe range of selenium intake is relatively small and excess selenium intake can readily result in toxicity.This review summarizes the updates of benefitial and adverse effects of selenium on health.

The preparation method, serum stability, efficiency of cellular uptake and apoptosis induction of the cell penetrating peptide TAT and cleavable PEG co-modified liposomes loaded with paclitaxel (C-TAT-Lipo) were investigated. The best preparation procedure was performed by orthogonal test based on single factor screening method. First, the paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded liposomes were prepared by filming-rehydration method, evaluated with entrapment efficiency and polydispersity index. The morphology of C-TAT-Lipo was characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Turbidity variations were monitored in the presence of fetal bovine serum (FBS) to evaluate the serum stability of the liposomes developed here. Next, the efficiency of cellular uptake of different Rho-PE-labeled liposomes on B16F1 cells in vitro was evaluated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and flow cytometry. The quantitative analysis of apoptosis induced by different PTX-loaded liposomes was performed by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. The optimal formulation was as follows: Chol : lipid: 1 : 8 (molar ratio); drug : lipid: 1 : 40 (mass ratio); lipid concentration: 3 mmol x L(-1); temperature of hydration: 25 degrees C. The mean size and polydispersity index of C-TAT-Lipo were about (97.97 +/- 3.68) nm and 0.196 +/- 0.037, the zeta potential was (-0.89 +/- 0.45) mV, the entrapment efficiency of paclitaxel was (90.16 +/- 1.53)%. The particle sizes did not exhibit significant variations in 50% FBS over 24 h at 37 degrees C. The efficiency of cellular uptake of the C-TAT-Lipo increased 1.40 fold following the cleavage of PEG. Apoptosis analysis showed 59.3% increase of the apoptosis and necrosis profile of C-TAT-Lipo after the detachment of PEG shells, which was markedly higher than that of N-TAT-LP with or without glutathione and SL, respectively. The results indicate that the C-TAT-Lipo is successfully prepared by filming-rehydration method and shows significant antitumor activities.

To screen and identify the mimotopes for lipopolysaccharide(LPS) epitope, a rand om phage displayed dodecapeptide library was screened with a monoclonal antibody 2B4 spe ci fically against LPS conservative epitope. The positive clones were identified by phage ELISA and competitive inhibition assay by either S.typhi T 8-61 LPS or E.coli O111:B4 LPS. After three rounds of biopanning,the clones binding with 2B4 antibody were well enriched with positive rate of 80%. The bindings between 12 of positive phage clones and screening antibody were competitively inhibited by the two kinds of LPS,indicating that the positive clones have similar epitope with LPS. The positive peptide sequences were deduced from the corresponding DNA sequences. There were identical sequences among them. The seq uences were GPPQWFFSQPQL （5/12，41.7%），LPQYFWNTATTA （3/12，25%），FPQNHWNVP WAT（2/12，16.6%），HSQSFWNAPLAM and AHPWTHGYFPPL （1/12，8.3%） respectively . The results demonstrate that the peptides screened with 2B4 antibody are mimot opes for LPS conservative epitope.

Objective: To investigate VEGF expression in NIH3T3 cells infected by adenovirus containing hVEGF165 gene and its influence on proliferation of NIH3T3 cells, and to observe the expression of hVEGF and its angiogenic effect in vivo. Methods: Adenoviral vector containing hVEGF165 gene was constructed and was used to infect NIH3T3 cells. The infection efficiency of adenovirus vector was examined by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Expression of VEGF in NIH3T3 cells and its levels in the culture medium were examined by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, RT-PCR, and ELISA. The infected NIH3T3 cells were implanted in skin defect at rat back and the acellular dermis on the wound was obtained one week later; the expression of hVEGF was detected by IHC in the dermis and the density of vessels was determined under microscope. Results: NIH3T3 cells were effectively transfected by adenovirus containing VEGF gene in vitro, the transfection efficiency was in a dose-effect manner with multiplicities of infection (MOI) of the adenovirus. When MOI was 100, the infection efficiency was more than 95%. The expression of VEGF mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCR and IHC 24 h after transfection. ELISA result showed that the high level of VEGF on the 3rd day after transfection and the level reached its peak 7 d after infection (1 052 pg/ml); VEGF expression was detectable 13 d after transfection. MTT assay demonstrated no significant difference in cellular proliferation between the transfection and non transfection group. Expression of hVEGF was also detected in vivo in mice, and the density of vessels in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Adenoviral vector can effectively transfect VEGF gene into NIH3T3 cells; VEGF gene can be detected in vitro and in vivo; and it can promote neovascularization in the transplanted tissues.

Objective: To prepare NIH3T3 cells harboring microencapsulated VEGF gene and investigate the proliferation, activity and metabolic function of the modified cells. Methods: Microencapsulated VEGF modified NIH3T3 cells were prepared through an alginate-BaCl2 process. Morphological appearance of the microencapsulation and the cell morphology were observed under inverted phase microscope; untreated NIH3T3 cells served as control. The concentrations of VEGF in the culture supernatant (collected every 48 hours) were measured by ELISA; the proliferation and vitality of the cells were examined by MTT assay and flow cytometry with PI staining. Results: The microcapsules were round in shape and the cells grew well. There was no significant difference in the concentrations of VEGF,MTT values and vitalities of cells between the 2 groups. Conclusion: The growth and metabolic functions of NIH3T3 cells are not influenced by microencapsulated NIH3T3 cells harboring VEGF gene. The bio-properties of modified cells are similar to those of the control cells,which lays a foundation for transplantation of microencapsulated VEGF modified NIH3T3 cells in vivo.

The preparation method, serum stability, efficiency of cellular uptake and apoptosis induction of the cell penetrating peptide TAT and cleavable PEG co-modified liposomes loaded with paclitaxel (C-TAT-Lipo) were investigated. The best preparation procedure was performed by orthogonal test based on single factor screening method. First, the paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded liposomes were prepared by filming-rehydration method, evaluated with entrapment efficiency and polydispersity index. The morphology of C-TAT-Lipo was characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Turbidity variations were monitored in the presence of fetal bovine serum (FBS) to evaluate the serum stability of the liposomes developed here. Next, the efficiency of cellular uptake of different Rho-PE-labeled liposomes on B16F1 cells in vitro was evaluated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and flow cytometry. The quantitative analysis of apoptosis induced by different PTX-loaded liposomes was performed by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. The optimal formulation was as follows: Chol : lipid: 1 : 8 (molar ratio); drug : lipid: 1 : 40 (mass ratio); lipid concentration: 3 mmol x L(-1); temperature of hydration: 25 degrees C. The mean size and polydispersity index of C-TAT-Lipo were about (97.97 +/- 3.68) nm and 0.196 +/- 0.037, the zeta potential was (-0.89 +/- 0.45) mV, the entrapment efficiency of paclitaxel was (90.16 +/- 1.53)%. The particle sizes did not exhibit significant variations in 50% FBS over 24 h at 37 degrees C. The efficiency of cellular uptake of the C-TAT-Lipo increased 1.40 fold following the cleavage of PEG. Apoptosis analysis showed 59.3% increase of the apoptosis and necrosis profile of C-TAT-Lipo after the detachment of PEG shells, which was markedly higher than that of N-TAT-LP with or without glutathione and SL, respectively. The results indicate that the C-TAT-Lipo is successfully prepared by filming-rehydration method and shows significant antitumor activities.
Animals ; Annexin A5 ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell-Penetrating Peptides ; pharmacology ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate ; analogs & derivatives ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; Melanoma, Experimental ; Mice ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Paclitaxel ; pharmacology ; Particle Size ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry

This article made an in-depth analysis of the pharmaceutical system of Australia in terms of its drug regulatory authorities,drug management policies and drug benefit plans.A summary of the Australian experiences hold that health system of the Australian government boasts a smooth and clear compensation mechanism,and flexible and a drag pricing approach ensuring interests of all parties.Its decision-making emphasizes technical support and covers specific groups of people with special policies,meeting patients' drug needs to the maximum.All these practices are worthy of learning for China.

Objective To evaluate the effect of Chinese herbal medicine immunomodulator on T lymphocyte immune function in peripheral blood and intestinal mucosa of immature rats with obstructive jaundice. Methods Three-weeks Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. (n= 12, in each): normal control group, sham operation group, obstructive jaundice (OJ) group, OJ + Chinese herbal medicine immunomodulator (OJ+ZY) group. Except for the normal control group, the others' bile duct stones were ligatured to establish rat models with obstructive jaundice. The percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ tlymphocytes and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in peripheral blood and intestinal mucosa of immature rats was detected by flow cytometry. Results The percentage of CD4+ cell [(36.2 ±4.2)%, (28.8±1.8)% respectively] and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ [(1.14±0.39), (1.37±0.34)respectively] in OJ group were lower than those in normal control group [peripheral blood: CD4+(41.5±5.3)%,CD4+/CD8+(1.37±0.19); intestinal mucosa: CD4+(32.3± 2.4)%, CD4+/CD8+ (1.84+0.28) and sham operation group (peripheral blood: CD4+ (41.2±5.5)%, CD4+/CD8+ (1.45±0.27); intestinal mucosa: CD4+(31.5 ± 2.7)%, CD4+/CD8+ (1.63±0.58)] . The difference was statistical significant(P<0.05). The percentage of CD4+ cell [(42.7±6.3)%, (33.6±2.4)% respectively] and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ [(1.56±0.46), (1.84±0.56)respectively] in OJ+ZY group, were higher than those in OJ group(P<0.05). The difference was statistical significant(P<0.05). Conclusion Chinese herbal medicine immunomodulator can increase T lymphocyte immune function in immature rats with obstructive jaundice, but has no significance in normal control group as well as sham operation group.

AlM:To investigate the myopia risk factors of different nationalities students in primary and secondary schools in Karamay City.
METHODS:This survey was a cross-sectional design, the sample was selected in the first, third and sixth grade primary school and middle school students by stratified random cluster method. The survey team comprised of ophthalmologists, technicians, optometrists and administrative staff. The staff was trained about the design, method and quality control, etc. According to the research needs, questionnaires were designed. ln person interview, pilot study, questionnaire, intraocular pressure, corneal curvature, refraction, axial length, corneal thickness, slit lamp microscopy and fundus examination were performed. A database was established using the Epi-data software by double entry method. All statistical analysis was completed by SPSS 17. 0 software.
RESULTS:The survey covers 1 922 students in total, which account for 91. 4% students of the whole four grades. The total prevalence of myopia was 39. 2%. Multivariate analyses revealed that ethnic origin, age, gender, parents of short-sightedness, daily after-school reading and writing time and bad reading and writing habits were closely related to myopia ( OR=0. 149, 95%CI:0. 103-0. 216, P=0. 000; OR=1. 372, 95%CI: 1. 296-1. 453, P=0. 000; OR=1. 517, 95%CI: 1. 200-1. 918, P=0. 000;OR=0. 695, 95%CI: 0. 602-0. 804, P=0. 000; OR=1. 310, 95%CI:1. 086-1. 581, P=0. 005;OR=0. 655, 95%CI:0. 486-0. 882, P=0. 005).
CONCLUSlON: Ethnic origin, age, gender, parents of short - sightedness, daily after - school reading and writing time and reading and writing habits were independent risk factors for myopia.