Objective To evaluate the in vitro effect of ferulic acid on the proliferation of,as well as melanin synthesis,tyrosinase activity and expressions of c-kit and ERK proteins in cultured normal human epidermal melanocytes.Methods Cultured normal human epidermal melanocytes were treated with various concentrations of ferulic acid for different durations,and those remaining untreated served as the control.Then,3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium,inner salt (MTS) assay was performed to estimate cell proliferative activity at 24,48 and 72 hours,sodium hydroxide solubilization method to quantify melanin content in melanocytes at 72 hours,dopa oxidation assay to evaluate tyrosinase activity at 72 hours,Western blot to measure the expressions of c-kit and ERK1/2 proteins at 72 hours.Results Cellular proliferative activity was significantly inhibited in melanocytes treated with ferulic acid of 0.01,0.1 and 1 mg/ml for 24,48 and 72 hours compared with untreated melanocytes (all P ＜ 0.05),and the 72-hour treatment with ferulic acid of 1 mg/ml showed the strongest inhibitory effect.Ferulic acid at 0.01,0.1 and 1 mg/ml all markedly suppressed melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity,decreased the expressions of c-kit and ERK1/2 proteins in melanocytes,with significant differences in these parameters between ferulic acid-treated and untreated melanocytes (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Ferulic acid could downregulate the proliferation of,as well as melanin synthesis,tyrosinase activity,and expressions of c-kit and ERK proteins in cultured human epidermal melanocytes.

Epidemiology shows that the most common psoriasis is psoriasis vulgaris. The common traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrom is the blood-heat type, which is equivalent to the progressing stage of psoriasis. This article summarized the experimental research of TCM in treating psoriasis vulgaris which is considering as the blood-heat type on the basis of the differentiation of symptoms and signs. The mechanism of clinical efficacy on treating psoriasis vulgaris which is at the blood-heat type was explained in different layers such as Th lymphocytes subgroups, Notchsignalpathway, PTH and hemorheology. This study aimed to help scholars to understand the mechanism of therapeutic effect of TCM on the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.

To improve the effectiveness of bedside localization of nasointestinal tube(NIT)and facilitate the placement of nasointestinal tube into jejunum,we established a procedure and composed a teaching verse for bedside placement of nasointestinal tube based on relevant classical literature and our own practices.Verse content:enteral nutrition means a successful strategy to improve the outcome in critically ill patient management,never hesitate to place nasointestinal tubes when necessary.There are several methods to deal with it,but popularizing it remains a long way off.Half-sitting and swallowing into the esophagus,freely withdrawing signifies the stomach cavity.Passing through the pylorus using light tension on the tube in the right lateral decubitus position.Arriving at the jejunum with low resistance in the left lateral decubitus position.What are the signs of intragastric coiling?Tube return out of nose is the initial observation,Failure of air insufflation indicates tube coiling.Dyeing location surpasses imaging.Vacuum test is the most sensitive,Sequential change from acid to base is specific.Methylene blue test is dramatical for localization.Combining three methods is enough to navigate.Abdominal plain film is the goldan standard and can still be used in ultrasonic era.3-D image establishes overall view.CT reveals the tube route exactly.The teaching verse has become a powerful tool for clinical teaching of manual nasointestinal tube placement in a concise and easy-to-remember form.