Objectives To provide reference for the improve of health care system and healthcare insurance con-trolling method, through researching on the value-based healthcare paying system in South Korea. Methods The basic characteristics of the Korean health care system was researched, Specifically, its reform experiences of value-based health insurance review and assessment paying system,which government took. Results South Korea’s health care pay-ing system had achieved both good social and policy effects. Conclusions Value-based health care paying system is the main reason for the reducing of health care expenditures and making of scientific health policy.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to demonstrate the activities and phosphorylation changes induced by acute ethanol treatment and withdrawal conditions in the intracellular signal transduction molecules [such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3beta), and Akt] of the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line. METHODS: The acute treatment exposed SH-SY5Y cells to 100 mM ethanol, and we took samples 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 24 hours after initiating this treatment. After 24 hours' continuous ethanol treatment, we initiated ethanol withdrawal, taking samples at 30 minutes and 60 minutes. We assayed the kinase phosphorylations via an immunoblot analysis using phosphorspecific antibodies, quantified by optical densitometry. RESULTS: Ethanol treatment induced a transient increase in phosphorylation of GSK3beta and Akt at 30 minutes but failed to change the phosphorylation level of ERK. Ethanol withdrawal induced a transient ERK phosphorylation increase at 30 minutes, but it had no effect on the phosphorylation of GSK3beta or Akt. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the ethanol-induced cellular response includes the ERK, GSK3beta, and Akt systems. In particular, the ERK pathway may play a role in the acute withdrawal response. This also suggests that a relatively short exposure to ethanol, such as the 24-hour exposure in this study, can induce functional adaptation within a cell.
Antibodies ; Cell Line ; Densitometry ; Ethanol ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; Glycogen Synthase Kinases ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Neuroblastoma ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Signal Transduction

Objective To investigate the changes in the expression of GABAAα1, receptors in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Methods Nine male Wistar rats weighing 200-210 g were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n = 3 each): control group (group C) , sham operation group (group S) and neuropathic pain group (group P). Neuropathic pain was induced by chronic constrictive injury. The right sciatic nerve was exposed and 4 loose ligatures were placed on the sciatic nerve at 1 mm intervals with 3-0 chromic catgut. In group S, the right sciatic nerve was exposed but not ligated. The thermal and mechanical pain threshold was measured at 1 d before and 1,4,7, 10 and 14 d after operation. The animals were then sacrificed and the mPFC was removed. The expression of GABAAα1, receptors in mPFC was determined by Western blot. Results Compared with C and S groups, thermal and mechanical pain threshold were significantly decreased and the expression of GABAAα1, receptors was up-regulated in group P ( P ＜ 0.01) . There was no significant difference was in the thermal and mechanical pain threshold and expression of GABAAα1 receptors between C and S groups (P ＞ 0.05). Conclusion Up-regulation of GABAAα1 receptor expression in mPFC may be involved in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain in rats.

Objective To elucidate the biocompatibility differences of 4 dialyzers with different membranes in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD)patients. Methods A total of 60 MHD patients were enrolled in the prospective,randomized,control,cohort study.In baseline,synthetic polysulfone(PS)membrane dialyzer was used in all the patients for at least 3 months.Then the patients were randomly divided into three groups:ployethersulfone(PES)membrane group,cellulose triacetate (CTA)membrane group,and synthetic polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA)membrane group.Study duration was 6 months.No dialyzer was reused.The biocompatibility markers were detected repeatedly at different time points and compared with each other in different dialyzer groups. Results The blood levels of high sensitive C reactive protein,interleukin-1β and interleukin-13 were not significantly different among different groups on every time point.However,the blood complements levels and WBC count were significantly different among four kinds of dialyzer.When the dialyzers changed from PS to PMMA membrane,C3a levels and WBC count changed significantly(P＜0.05).Moreover,the change of C5a level was significantly different between PES group and PMMA group on month 3(P＜0.05). Conclusion There are some differences of biocompatibiliy among different dialyzer membranes.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcome of botulinum A toxin(BTX-A)injection into external sphincter combined with oral baclofen in treatment of detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia(DESD)after spinal cord injury(SCI). Methods:A total of 38 urodynamic examination-confirmed DESD patients,male 31 and female 7,with an average age of (36.5?17.8)years old,were included in this study.200 U of BTX-A toxin was dissolved in 8 ml of normal saline and the solution was injected at 8 different sites(1 ml per site)of the external sphincter via a 5F flexible cystoscopic needle.On the second day,9 patients(BTX-A+baclofen group)were randomly selected for baclofen oral administration,3/d for 3 months; the other 26 patients were taken as control.Urodynamic examination was repeated in all patients 4 weeks later;the voiding diary and urodynamic outcomes were compared before and after treatment.The adverse and toxic effects were observed in the patients who were followed up for 2-9 months.Results:One month after treatment the voiding and storing functions of bladder were improved to different degrees,with the mean maximum uroflow rate(Qmax),the mean urine volume,the mean maximal cystometric capacity and the bladder compliance increased significantly and the mean postvoid residual urine volume and the mean maximal voiding pressure decreased significantly(all P

OBJECTIVETo further verify the efficacy and safety of locally manufactured lamivudine on patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODS2200 patients with CHB were recruited and received lamivudine orally 100 mg once daily for 12 months. The efficacy assessments included virologic response rate (defined by the absence of serum HBV DNA, HBeAg loss and HBeAg/HBeAb seroconversion), percentage of patients with normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Meanwhile improvement of quality of life (QOL) measured by mos SF-36 QOL questionnaire and liver histology evaluation were conducted in some patients. The safety assessments included adverse events, serious adverse events and laboratory abnormalities. All 2200 patients received at least one dose of medication and were all included in the safety population.

RESULTSNinety seven percent of patients (2137/2200) recruited were HBV DNA positive by dot blot (sensitivity GRT or equal to 1.0 pg/ml) at baseline. At the end of 12 months treatment, HBV DNA was undetectable in 80% patients (1538/1920) with HBV DNA positive before treatment. Among the 79%(1744/2200) of the patients recruited had positive HBV DNA accompanied abnormal ALT levels at baseline, 72% patients became ALT normal. And among the 84% (1843/2200) of the patients recruited were HBV DNA and HBeAg positive, anti-HBe negative, 16% (269/1650) patients achieved HBeAg/HBeAb seroconversion after 12 months of lamivudine treatment. The HBeAg/HBeAb seroconversion rate was positive correlation to the ALT level before treatment. A total of 304 patients completed the health-related QOL questionnaire. After 12 months treatment, lamivudine improved both their physical and mental health, especially for their mental health. 133 evaluable, paired liver biopsies were obtained for histological assessment, among whom 115 patients had abnormal ALT levels at baseline. Compared with pre-treatment most of their liver injury got alleviated (51.9%) or no further deterioration (36%), only 12% worsening. During the 12 months treatment, 9% patients withdrew from the study and 17% patients showed at least one adverse event, mild or moderate. There were no obvious difference between this study and the previously reported lamivudine Phase II or III study with regard to the kinds, incidence and severity of adverse events.

CONCLUSIONThe efficacy and safety profile of the locally manufactured lamivudine 100 mg tablets are similar with those of the previously reported available lamivudine tablets imported in treating Chinese chronic hepatitis B patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Child ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; psychology ; virology ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Liver ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life

The reported incidence of synchronous multiple primary cancer (SMPC) is rare, and it is even less common to observe synchronous solid tumor with a hematological malignancy. We report five cases of solid tumor presented synchronously with hematological malignancy, all observed within a 2 year period at the oncology department of a university hospital in Shanghai, China. These individual cases included lung adenocarcinoma with chronic myelogenous leukemia, colon cancer with solitary plasmocytoma, gastric adenocarcinoma with diffuse large B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, lung adenocarcinoma with multiple myeloma, and colon cancer with diffuse large B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is challenging to therapeutically control the biological behavior of concurrent multiple primary tumors, and there is no standard treatment for such rare conditions. In this paper we discuss these five cases of SMPC and their treatments.
Adenocarcinoma ; China ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; Incidence ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Multiple Myeloma ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; Plasmacytoma

Objective To evaluate the effect of artemether on the cell cycle and the radiosensitivity in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-1.Methods Cell growth inhibition was assessed with MTT.The method of colony-forming was used to detect the radiation sensitivity.Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by using flow cytometry.The protein expressions of clyclin B1 and Weei were detected by using Western blot.Results The growth of CNE-1 cells was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner.The concentration of 20 μmol/L artemether had radiosensitive effect on CNE-1 cells at 24 h after administration,and SER was 1.481.When CNE-1 cell was irradiated,the G2/M cells increased (t =4.59,P ＜ 0.05).After exposure to combination of artemether and irradiation,the G2/M cells were decreased (t= 10.60,P ＜ 0.05).Western blot showed that artemether increased the level of cyclin B1 expression and inhibited the level of Weel expression.Conclusions The noncytotoxic concentration of artemether could enhance radiosensitization of CNE-1 cells.The radiosensitivity enhancement of artemether might depend on the exposure time.The effect is most obvious when radiation is delivered 24 h after expose to artemetherr.The radiosensitizing effect could be related to apoptosis.

OBJECTIVETo develop a convenient and effective method for the identification of Bungarus multicinctus.

METHODBased on the sequence of Cyt b gene fragment of B. multicinctus and its adulterants, a pair of highly specific primer (HJL- and HJH-) were designed for distinguishing B. ulticinctus from other species of snake. To establish specific PCR reaction condition, the primers were employed to amplify the DNA templates extracted from B. multicinctus and 6 other species of snake, under different annealing temperature. Using this method, B. multicinctus was identified from 18 samples bought from many drugstores.

RESULTA 230 bp DNA fragment was amplified from B. multicinctus in PCR with annealed temperature at 67 degrees C, whereas no DNA fragment was amplified from other snake samples under the same reaction condition, B. multicinctus could be clearly distinguished from others by PCR reaction with the highly specific primers. In the present study, 18 sample, bought from different drugstores, were also identified by the highly specific PCR with the primers. The results indicated that 14 samples were B. multicinctus and the other 4 were adulterant, which was consistent with the conclusion of authentication based on morphological.

CONCLUSIONThe primers designed in the present study were highly specific for B. multicinctus.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Bungarus ; classification ; genetics ; Cytochromes b ; genetics ; DNA ; genetics ; DNA Primers ; Drug Contamination ; Materia Medica ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Snakes ; classification ; genetics ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in manganese chloride (MnCl(2))-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells.

METHODSThe model that MnCl(2) induced apoptosis in PC12 cells was established. The apoptotic effect of MnCl(2) on PC12 cells was analyzed with the MTT, the flow cytometry and the DNA fragmentation. The production of ROS and ATP in MnCl(2)-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells was examined. The influence of MnCl(2) on the expression of bcl-xl, bax and the activity of Caspase 3 was also analyzed.

RESULTSMnCl(2) triggered PC12 cells apoptosis in a dose-and time-dependent manner (P < 0.01). The rate of apoptosis was significantly increased (P < 0.01) when MnCl(2) of 2 mmol/L induced PC12 cells for 36 hours. The production of ROS was increased (P < 0.001) and the quantity of ATP was decreased (P < 0.01) in PC12 cells with the same inducement of MnCl(2). The expression of bcl-xl was inhibited and the bax was activated in this process (P < 0.01). Caspase 3 was also activated (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMnCl(2) induces apoptosis of PC12 cells, which is related to the increase of ROS, the inhibition of the mitochondria and the activation of Caspase 3.

Adenosine Triphosphate ; biosynthesis ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Chlorides ; toxicity ; DNA Fragmentation ; drug effects ; Manganese Compounds ; PC12 Cells ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; biosynthesis ; bcl-X Protein ; biosynthesis