AIM: To compare difference and similarity of transdermal therapeutics between traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and Western Medicine, to investigate the merit and shortage of the trans-meridional-point therapeutics in TCM, and to find out the problems urgent to be resolved so as to expand external remedy of TCM.METHODS: A part of literatures of TCM about transdermal therapeutics were reviewed, and PubMed database and relevant articles in Chinese medical journals were retrieved to analyze the relevant information RESULTS: The trans-meridional-point therapeutics of TCM had a long his tory, with rich experience and definite effect. The key of it was the amplification and integrative effect produced during the process of absorption of drugs through meridional point. The research of transdermal therapeutics combined with transdermal therapeutic system(TTS) had been in a starting stage, but it was limited in the research of a disease and a prescription, being of shortage in evidence of effective mechanism and morphology. Now one of the hot points in effective mechanism of TTS was to resolve rate-limiting process for medicine transportation through the corneal layer so as to promote entering of enough medicine into the body.CONCLUSION: It is urgent to solve the essence of the morphological basis of acupoint structure, establish experimental animal mode of transdermal therapeutics, and popularize clinical application on the basis of a great deal of medicinal experiments on animals so as to bring new ideas for transdermal remedy of Chinese drug.

Objective To measure the serum levels of angiopoietin-like protein (ANGPTL) 3, ANGPTL4 and RANKL in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the relationship between ANGPTL3/ANGPTL4 and clinical manifestations were analyzed. Methods Blood samples were drawn from 72 patients with RA and 28 healthy subjects. Serum levels of ANGPTL3, ANGPTL4 and RANKL were tested by enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). Nonparametric rank sum test was used for the comparisons between groups and Spearmanˊs correlation test was used for correlation analysis. Results ① The serum level of ANGPTL3 was significantly increased in RA group compared to healthy group [800.325(577.477, 1 750.636) pg/ml vs 487.900 (382.340, 565.499) pg/ml, P<0.05, Z=-6.082]. ② The serum level of ANGPTL4 was significantly increased in RA group compared to healthy group [1 036.199(853.347, 1 746.677) pg/ml vs 706.095(558.571, 807.302) pg/ml, Z=-5.962, P<0.05].③ The serum levels of ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL4 in RA patients were increased with the rise of disease activity (DAS 28) [ANGPTL3 in the low disease activity groupwas 457.265 (373.709, 605.296) pg/ml, that of the moderate disease activity group was 785.815(679.156, 1 308.785) pg/ml, that of the high disease activity group was 1 502.038 (817.713, 1 960.493) pg/ml, P<0.05; ANGPTL4 in the low disease activity group was 737.604 (467.040, 918.222) pg/ml, that of the moderate disease activity group was 991.227 (819.456, 1 699.972) pg/ml, and that of the high disease activity group was 1 842.310 (1 252.023, 2 669.902) pg/ml, P<0.05].④ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL4 was positively correlated with RANKL (r=0.554, 0.619, P<0.01).⑤ The serum level of ANGPTL4 was significantly increased in patients with bone destruction, compared to those without bone destruction [1 624.071(949.432, 2 622.371) pg/ml vs 927.590(737.604, 1 409.798) pg/ml, Z=-2.483, P<0.05]. Conclusion The serum levels of ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL4 are increased in RA, and are both positively correlated with disease activity, moreover, ANGPTL4 is associated with pathological bone destruction.

In the present study, A fluorescent imaging-based high-throughput screening method was developed for identifying anti-migratory compounds with 96-well Transwell plates. The correlation, precision and stability of this method were examined and the incubation time of dye Hoechst 33342 in addition to migration time was optimized. In addition, The inhibitory activity of anti-cancer drug paclitaxel on tumor cell migration was assayed and an IC50 value of 0.717 micromol x L(-1) was obtained. Using this method, 24 components from Rhizoma Alismatis were screened and one component with anti-migration activity was found. These results show that the new proposed method with good precision, stability and linear range has the potential to assay the inhibitory activity of anticancer compounds.

Objective To investigate the characteristic changes in the mRNA and protein of complement 3 in spinal dorsal horn of rats with neuropathic pain,and the role of abnormal activation of complement protein in the mechanism of pain production.Methods Eighty-four healthy male SD rats were divided randomly into seven groups(n=12 for each group):normal control group,sham-operation 1d,3d and 7d groups,and chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve(CCI)1d,3d and 7d groups.The left sciatic nerve was ligated loosely in CCI groups,while it was only exposed but not ligated in rats in sham-operation groups.The mechanical and thermal pain thresholds were measured on 1,3 and 7 days after operation,and the mRNA and protein of complement 3 in the dosal horn of the spinal cord were determined respectively by RT-PCR,immunoturbidimetry and immunohistochemistry.Results The mechanical and thermal pain thresholds were observed to be lowered in rats one day after the sciatic nerve ligation,and a state of hyperalgesia was found to be persistent up to 7 days after CCI.This symptom was not observed in sham operation group.The expression of mRNA and protein of complement 3 in spinal dorsal horn were increased on 1,3 and 7 days after CCI.Interestingly,a high expression of mRNA of complement 3 was also observed in rats one day after sham-operation.Both mRNA and protein of complement 3 were not obviously elevated in rats of sham operation 3d,7d groups and normal control group.Conclusion The mRNA and protein of complement 3 in spinal dorsal horn are highly up-regulated in rats with neuropathic pain,suggesting that the characteristic dynamic changes in complement may contribute to the establishment and maintenance of hyperalgesia.

Patients with burning mouth syndrom(BMS,n =12)and patients with wisdom tooth removal(controls,n =9)were included. Immunohistochemistry and image analysis were used to quantify P2X3 receptor expression in lingual nerve fibres.A pain history and score were recorded on a visual analogue scale(VAS)prior to obtaining a lingual biopsy.The value of P2X3 receptor positive fibres in BMS and control subjects was 0.56 ±0.29 and 0.15 ±0.06 respectively(P <0.001).There was no significant correlation between P2X3 and VAS scores(R2 =0.012).Increased P2X3 may play a role in BMS but not correlated with the VAS score.

Objective To investigate the immunological pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease( KD)through examination of changes in the expression of suppressors of cytokine signaling 1(SOCS1)and SOCS3,helper T cells and CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells(CD4 + CD25 + Treg)in peripheral blood from children with acute KD. Methods Six-teen children[10 boys,6 girls,aged 1 - 2 years old,averaged(1. 6 ± 0. 3)years old]in the acute phase of KD(KD group),16 children[9 boys,7 girls,aged 1 - 3 years old,averaged(1. 5 ± 1. 1)years old]with pneumonia(pneumo-nia group)and 8 normal children[5 boys,3 girls,aged 1 - 5 years old,averaged(2. 0 ± 1. 1)years old]of the same age(normal control group)from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University who were admitted from October 2012 to March 2013 were recruited. The mRNA levels of SOCS1 and SOCS3 in the T cells from peripheral blood were examined by way of reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction(RT - PCR). Interferon - γ( IFN - γ),interleukin - 4 (IL - 4)and CD4 + CD25 + Treg were quantified by means of fluorescence activated cell sorting(FACS). Results The expressions of SOCS1 and SOCS3,the percentage of IL - 4 T cells observed in the peripheral blood of the pneumonia group were similar to the normal control group(P ﹥ 0. 05),but significantly decreased in the percentage of INF - γ and the level of CD4 + CD25 + Treg(t = 3. 71,12. 81,all P ﹤ 0. 05). Compared to the normal control group and the pneumo-nia group,the expressions of SOCS1 and SOCS3,the percentage of INF - γ and IL - 4 T cells decreased significantly in the peripheral blood of the KD group(t = 2. 27,4. 48,17. 64,2. 73,2. 74,1. 25,2. 36,2. 59,all P ﹤0. 05 ). On the other hand,the level of CD4 + CD25 + Treg in the peripheral blood of the KD group was markedly lower than that in the normal control group(t =7. 70,P ﹤0. 05),but similar to the pneumonia group(P ﹥0. 05). Conclusions The function of helper T cells is inhibited in acute KD. The CD4 + CD25 + Treg may be involved in the immunological pathogenesis of KD.

Objective To compare the efficacy and complications of the two surgical methods (between type Ⅰ hysterectomy and type Ⅱ hysterectomy),and to explore the feasibility of type Ⅰ hysterectomy in stage ⅠA cervical cancer.Methods The study group,92 cases(48 cases of stage ⅠA1,44 cases of stage ⅠA2) were performed with type Ⅰ hysterectomy plus selective pelvic lymph node dissection;the control group,93 cases (49 cases of stage ⅠA1,44 cases of ⅠA2) were performed with type Ⅱ hysterectomy plus selective pelvic lymph node dissection.Results The survival rate of 5 years and 10 years in study group were 100 ％ (92/92),100 ％ (74/74) and that in control group were 100 ％ (93/93),100 ％(66/66),respectively.There were no signicant difference between the two group (both P ＞ 0.05).When compared with the control group,the urinary tract infection of the study group was significantly reduced (0 versus 13.99 ％,P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,there were a shorter surgical duration [(96.14±17.20) min vs (116.82±16.30) min].The hemorrhage [(117.35±39.61) ml] and blood transfusion (0 ml) in study group was less common than those in control group [(201.74±46.25) ml,(82.07±16.32) ml] (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion There are no difference of 5-year and l0-year survival rate in stage ⅠA patients with type Ⅰ or type Ⅱ hysterectomy,however,the rate of the postoperative urinary tract infection in the former is lower than that in the latter,and also there are a shorter surgical duration,less hemorrhage and reduced blood transfusion requirements in study group.Therefore,type Ⅰ hysterectomy can be effective and applicable for the patients of stage ⅠA cervical cancer.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristic,diagnosis and treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).Methods According to family history of the proband,we surveyed the pedigree and retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of 10 FAP patients in 3 generations of the family.Result Among all 10 cases,3 died of colorectal cancer including two of whom had history of intestinal obstruction.Seven people of the third generation were all diagnosed as FAP.Among them,only 2 patients had clinical symptoms.Colonoscopy was done in all 7 patients before 35 years old.However,none of them had polyps or evidence of cancer.Surgical operation was performed on 1 patient and high frequency electric cutting under endoscopy was performed on 6 patients.Conclusions The early clinical manifestations of FAP are nonspecific.Pedigree investigation and colonoscopy screening for high-risk population are important to find early asymptomatic FAP patients.

Objective To explore expression of the minichromosome maintenance 2 (MCM2)protein and the mucin-like cell surface adhesion molecule CD24 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and their relationship with its prognosis. Methods Seventy-three patients of NSCLC diagnosed for the first time and received surgical treatment in Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing were selected for the study. Expression of the MCM2 and CD24 in pathological specimens of the patients was measured by immunohistochemistry and their relationship with its prognosis was analyzed retrospectively. Results High-level expression of the MCM2 and CD24 was seen in 42 and 54 of 73 NSCLC patients, accounting for 57. 5 percent and 74. 0 percent,respectively. Risk of death for the patients with high-level expression of the MCM2 or the CD4 was significantly higher as compared to those with low-level expression ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). Risk of death for patients with both high-level expression of the MCM2 and CD24 was significantly higher than that in those with only high-level expression of the MCM2 or the CD24 (HR =2. 59, 95%CI 1.40 -4. 80, P=0. 002) and in those with both low-level expression of them ( HR = 15.32, 95 % CI = 2.07 - 113.41, P = 0. 008 ). But there was no significant difference in risk of death between patients with high-level expression of the MCM2 or CD24 and those with low-level expression of both of them ( HR = 5. 60, 95% CI 0. 79 - 44. 82, P = 0. 083 ), and cumulative survival rate of patients with both high-level expression of the MCM2 and CD24 was significantly lower than those with only high-level expression of the MCM2 or the CD24 ( P = 0. 001 ). Conclusions Both expression of the MCM2 and the CD24 are independent prognostic factors for NSCLC and combined detection of the two markers have higher prognostic value for it.

Objective To investigate clinical significance of small airway function and eosinophil (Eos) percentage,levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and IL-5 in induced sputum among patients with clinically controlled asthma. Methods Sixty-two patients with clinically controlled asthma were selected for the study. Lung function was performed and percentage of Eos, levels of ECP and IL-5 in induced sputum were measured by Wrights' stain, fluorescence immuno-CAP system and ELISA,respectively. Thirty patients of asthma at acute exacerbation period and 20 healthy subjects were selected as controls. Results In 62 patients with clinically controlled asthma, 43 (69. 4% ) showed abnormal small airway function and 19(30. 6% ) normal one. Percentage of Eos [(5. 6 ±2. 9)%], levels of ECP [( 129 ±100) μg/L] and IL-5 [(21± 12) μg/L] in induced sputum were significantly lower in patients with clinically controlled asthma than those of asthma at acute exacerbation period [( 16. 2 ± 9. 7 ) %, ( 362 ±182) μg/L and IL-5(51 ±26) μg/L, respectively] (all P ＜0. 01 ), but significantly higher than those in healthy controls ( all P ＜ 0. 01 ). Percentage of Eos, levels of ECP and IL-5 in induced sputum were significantly higher in patients with clinically controlled asthma with abnormal small airway function than those with normal ane [(6.9±3.1)% vs. (2.0±1.1)%, (148±90) μg/Lvs. (54±29) μg/L and (24 ±12) μg/L vs. ( 13 ± 5 ) μg/L, respectively] ( all P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusions Abnormal small airway function and airway inflammation persistently exist in patients with clinically controlled asthma and it may be helpful to guild treatment during clinical control to determine small airway function and inflammatory markers in their induced sputum.