Objective To investigate the effectsof quercetin on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC)-12 undergoing endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) induced by TGF-β1; To discuss its mechanism of action. Methods Cell activity of intervening by quercetin with different concentrations and TGF-β1 for 72 h was detected by CCK-8 method;RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the transition of endothelial and stromal markers; Western blot was used to detect the signal transduction pathway; RT-PCR was performed to detect the transcription factors that play crucial roles in the process of transformation. Results The results of RT-PCR and immunofluorescence double staining showed that TGF-β1 (10 ng/mL) stimulated HUVEC-12 cells for 72 h to induce fibroblast phenotype, showing more interstitial markers and less endothelial markers;Western blot and RT-PCR results showed that quercetin inhibited the phosphorylation of smad2/3 in a concentration-dependent manner;After TGF-β1 stimulation, the downstream transcription factors EndMT of snail1, twist1, twist2, ZEB1, and ZEB2 significantly increased, while 100 μmol/L quercetin could down-regulate the five downstream transcription factors. Conclusion Quercetin has anti-fibrosis effects through inhibiting HUVEC-12 cells undergoing EndMT.

Objective The patients with metastatic spinal tumors often suffered from severe back pain and spinal cord compression directly caused by tumor tissue or severe spine kyphosis.In order to treat or prevent spinal cord paralysis,decompression and stabilization should be performed on the patients with spinal pain and /or severe spinal cord compression.Methods From July1998through July2001,62patients(27women and35men)with metastatic spinal tumors had been treated at our department.Of 62patients,the thoracic vertebrae were involved in37cases,lumbar vertebrae in19and cervical vertebrae in6.Among43of 62patients who pre sented with neurological dysfunction,24patients were incompletely para plegic and the others were completely paraplegic.The fol low-up ranged from8to36months.Results Pain relief was ob-tained in58of 62patients(94%),and good neurological recovery was obtained in33of the43patients.Improved bowel and bladder function was obtained in12of 25patients who presented with bowel and blad der dysfunction.After decompression,neurological function,evaluated as Frankel grade E or D,was ob-tained in5patients whose neurological function had been evaluated as Frankel grade A or B,and other9pa-tients ex perienced a neurological recovery from Frankel grade A or B to C or D.Conclusion The time developing from neurological dysfunction to complete para plegia is the most important prognostic factor.Poor prognosis is often inevitable when complete paraplegia appeared less than48hours.Complete loss of bowel and bladder function is also a factor for poor prognosis.Decompression should be performed immedi -ately if the patient is presented with neurological dysfunction.Spinal metastasis of thyroid or breast cancer has a rela tive good prognosis.However,metastasis of lung or liver cancer is associated with a short-term survival.Neu rological function of patients with spinal metastasis at thoracic region is more difficult to recover.Com-mon motor and sensory functions are often improved earlier than bowel and bladder function.Thorough re-section of metastatic tumor and stable in ternal fixation should be performed when single vertebra is involved.Conservative tumor resection,decompression and posterior internal fixation should be performed when two or more seg ments are involved in order to alleviate paraplegia,improve spinal stability and the quality.[

Objective To establish the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene viral transferring system. Methods By means of liposome mediation, a retroviral vector pLNC-hTERT carrying a selectable marker neomycin resistance genes (Neo r) and a target gene (hTERT) was transferred into the ectropic package cells ?-2, and by using the supernatant of ?-2 cells to infect the amphotropic producer clone PA317, established PA317/hTERT package cell line. In order to get higher-titer virus, the supernatants of ?-2 infected PA317 repeatedly. Human endothelial cells were used to detect the effect of gene transfer. Results We established a PA317/hTERT package cell line which produced high-titer virus. The viral titer produced by PA317 cells was raised 20 times by repeated infection method, and with higher-titer virus the exogenous genes were successfully transferred into endothelial cell. Conclusion This method can be used to establish higher-titer viral transferring system.

Objective To explore the complications of the total elbow arthroplasty after the resection of the peri-elbow tumor. Methods Between June 1998 and June 2002, eight patients underwent total elbow arthroplasty after resection of tumors, which involved 7 males and 1 female (mean age, 42.6 years; range, 22-63 years). The patients included 1 metastasis, 1 GCT, 2 MFH, 1 osteosarcoma, 1 lymphoma, 1 desmoid fibroma, and 1 synovial sarcoma. The tumors located 3 in distal humerus, and 5 in proximal ulna. For those of the distal humerus, after the resection of the tumors, the origins and the insertions of the musculi flexors, extensor, pronators and supinators were repaired as far as possible. The application of the prothesis was relatively simple, the prosthetic stem of the distal humerus was cemented, the intercondylar notch was sawn off, but both the lateral and medial epicondyles were kept, the prothesis impacted in the notch; While for those tumors located on the proximal ulna, the stem was spiraled in the intramedullary cavity, Patients were evaluated according to the Mayo Elbow Performance Score. Results All the patients were followed up at least one year or to death (mean duration, 2.5 years). Pain scores decreased from a mean of 3.6 to 2.0. Mean elbow motion from extention to flexision arc improved from 29? to 73? (range, 55?-105?). Seven cases were excellent or good (87.5%), and only one was poor (12.5%). There were none of the complications, such as infection, incision non-union and nerve injury. All patients without local recurrence as well. The X-ray didn't reveal any sign of loosening or breakage for the artificial elbow joint. Conclusion Total elbow arthroplasty after resection of tumors can decrease the pain and improve the function substantially. For metastatic tumors, this technique can be also used to alleviate symptom if there is no other good option.

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for the price management of medicines in Chinese mainland by inquiring into rel-ative management in Hong Kong. METHODS:Based on the steps of price management and the value chain of medicines in Hong Kong,the management mechanism of medicine pricing,circulation and compensation were researched. RESULTS & CONCLU-SIONS:The prices of the medicines in Hong Kong are mainly determined by the tender between Hospital Authority and the pharma-ceutical suppliers. In circulation,medicine payer as main body in bidding and purchase conducthigh qualitybidding andmasspurchase,and price remained the same in public hospital. On the basis of the purchase price,the price that actually paid by pa-tients is the result of government compensation. Chinese mainland can draw lessons from such drug bidding mode in Hong Kong which will lead health care department to act as the main body in bidding,weaken the relationship between the hospitals and the drug dealers or manufacturers,and expand the government's financial investment in public medical institutions to improve reim-bursement.

OBJECTIVE:To explore price management mechanism of medical service in Macau of China,and to provide refer-ence for the formulation of price management mechanism of medical service in the mainland area of China. METHODS:From two key links of pricing and compensation,price management mechanism of medical service in Macau was introduced. RESULTS &CONCLUSIONS:In respect of pricing,Macau Health Bureau as pricing subject set up guide price for public health institutions by marginal cost pricing,which focused on technology value and labor value of medical staff,and graded pricing for health institu-tions at various levels. In respect of compensation,compensation subjects included government,social security funds,charitable or-ganization,etc. The government provided fixed-rate compensation for citizen by allocating funds for public health institutions,so as to improve compensation level for primary health institutions. The social security funds extended sick benefit to insured patients, and compensated patients at fixed rate. Charitable organization subsidized private health institutions to reduce medical service price. Finally,actual price has been formulated through pricing and compensation links,and the experience is worthy of learning by the mainland of China.

Objective To screen the formulation for tanshinone self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) and evaluate its stability.Methods The optimal tanshinone SEDDS formulation was established through solubility experiment,emulsion examination,fully emulsified time,droplet size determination,and pseudo-ternary diagram drawing.The content and stability were evaluated by HPLC assay under the condition of illumination,high and low temperature.Results The oil phase,surfactant and co-surfactant in the optimal tanshinone SEDDS formulation were ethyl oleate,TX10,Tween 80,and isopropyl alcohol (60∶84∶21∶35).Conclusion The acquired formulation of tanshinone SEDDS is stable in the dark and room temperature.

0.05)and could be induced significantly after 12 h (P

American Medical Association ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell ; therapy ; United States