PURPOSE. To evaluate the effects of interfe-ron-gamma (IFN-?) and interferon-alpha (IFN-?) on human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) ceils in vitro. METHODS: Cultures of human RPE cells were incubated with either of the IFNs (10IU/ml～10~4 IU/ml) for 3～5 days, and proliferation rates of the cells were assayed by [~3H]-thymidine incorporation and liquid scintillation techniques. RESULTS: There was a slight inhibition on human RPE cells with dosages from 10IU/ml to 10~4IU/ml. The inhibition rates of IFN-? of 10~3IU/ml, 10~4IU/ml were 8%, 15%, 26%, and of IFN-? were 7%, 9%, and 16%, respectively. On the 5th day there was a slight decrease in the inhibition rate than on the 3rd day. CONCLUSION: IFN-? and IFN-? exerted a slight inhibition on human RPE cells lasting 3 days.

It is well appreciated that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents one of the most challenging malignancies of worldwide importance. HCC is a disease that requires multidisciplinary management. There has been no widely accepted standardard systemic therapy for this disease until recently. However, with the arrival of newly developed, molecularly targeted agents, there has been renewed interest in developing novel systemic therapy in HCC. For this review, the authors concisely summarized the current status of molecular targeted agents: muhikinase inhibitor, antiangiogenesis and anti-EGFR agents, which are under clinical development, focus on new agents with promise, particularly sorafenib, a drug that appear to be the new standard of care for advanced HCC.

Unresectable or metastatic pancreatic cancer carries a poor prognosis,and systemic therapy with cytotoxic agents provides marginal benefit. Even the first-line chemotherapeutic agent, gemcitabine(GEM) has a modest survival benefit,and objective tumor response is rarely achieved. Combination of various cytotoxics did not produce a significant improvement either. For that reason,continuous search for better molecules targeted agents and/or combinations is inevitable. Erlotinib, an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase, is the first of these targeted which compounds to be approved for use in combination with gemcimbine for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. GEM with other targeted agents,including monoclonal antibodies: cetuximab or bevacizumab,also has been extensively evaluated,with limited success to date. Future research should continue to unravel the mechanism of pancreatic carcinogenesis and to identify key relevant molecular targets for therapeutic intervention.

This article reviews the role of bevacizumab (BV) and cetuximab (C225) in the treatment of the patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer(CRC). The molecules targeting agents BV and C225 are being specifically blocking biological response of VEGF and EGFR. The clinical application of these agents for CRC is effective and well tolerated. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, it primarily inhibits tumor growth rather than regression. The combination of targeted agents (BV and C225) with cytotoxic agents holds the promise of enhanced chemotherapy benefits, prolonged survival and improved quality of life for patients with CRC

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is currently one of the treatment-resistant malignamcies. However, the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying RCC development has led to the identification of promising targets for novel therapeutic agents. In Clinical studies, sunitinib and sorafenib have shown significant activity with manageable toxicity in the treatment of advanced or metastatic RCC. Both are oral agents which belong to a class of multitarget drugs called kinase inhibitor that inhibit the VEGF, platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF) and C-KIT receptor tyrosine kinase, which have been rapidly approved in the second-line and will soon be used as first-line therapy for RCC. Further studies with sunitinib or sorafenib as monotherapy and combination regimens in the treatment of RCC are warranted.

Objective To establish a method for primary culture of iris pigment epithelial cells (IPE). Methods Enzyme Assisted microdissection was used to isolate and cultivate the IPE cells. An identification was made with microscopic and immunohistochemical observations. Results IPE were successfully cultured and showed on differences with RPE in primary culture and subculture. Conclusion Enzyme Assisted microdissection is a reliable and quick method for the isolation of IPE.

This article reviews the proteasomes inhibition is a novel approach to cancer therapy. Bortezomib (velcade) is the first proteasomes inhibitor, it was effective in this class to be approved for clinical use. Phase I clinical trials established an optimal dosing strategy and demonstrated a manageable toxicity profile. Two phase II trial, SUMMIT and CREST demonstrated the safety and efficacy of bortezomib for patients with relapsed and/or refractory myeloma. The phase III APEX trial comparing bortezomib with high-dose dexamethasone demonstrated that bortezomib had an improved response rate, duration of remission and overall survival advantage in the setting of relapsed disease. These findings have led investigators to study bortezomib combination with conventional chemotherapy and other novel agents. Results of ongoing trial with bortezomib in the first-line treatment of myeloma have been extremely encouraging. Further studies with bortezomib as monotherapy and combination regimens in the treatment of hematologic and solid malignancies are warranted.

Congenital malformations of the external and middle ear is the common reason of pediatric hearing impairment and cosmic problem. The treatment composes of auricular plastic surgery and auditory reconstruction surgery. The use of BAHA, vibrant sound-bridge and tissue engineering materials can significantly improve the treatment outcomes.
Contraindications ; Ear, External ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Ear, Middle ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Hearing Aids ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Treatment Outcome

Clinical efficacy of liver lesion with the treatment of reduced glutathione and ademetionine was analyzed retrospectively. 83 patients were randomly divided into two groups based on the application of preventive hepatopro-tective drug. Control group was treated with reduced glutathione intravenous drip infusion once a day ( n =40 ) , while treatment group with reduced glutathione and ademetionine(Transmetil) once a day(n=43). After 12 days, the clinical efficacy of treatment group was better than that of control group. Total response rate was 95. 35% for treatment group, much better than that of control group(80. 00%). There was significant difference between two groups ( P<0.05 ) . Reduced glutathione and ademetionine are more effective in the treatment of chemotherapeutics-induced liver lesion than only with reduced glutathione.

BACKGROUND: Cell labeling and nuclear magnetic resonance can non-invasively in vivo label the region, existing mode and some bionomics of transplanted neural stem cells (NSCs). OBJECTIVE: To observe the outcome of superparamagnetic iron oxide in vitro labeled human NSCs. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The cytology, in vitro, observation study was performed at the Laboratory of Department of Pediatrics, Navy General Hospital of Chinese PLA from December 2006 to June 2007. MATERIALS: Aborted human embryo was provided by Navy General Hospital of Chinese PLA. Superparamagnetic iron oxide (Lot number 97060601) was produced by Advanced magnetics,inc., USA. METHODS: Monoplast suspension was isolated from human embryo hippocampus using the mechanical method, and in vitro incubated in NSC medium, supplemented with epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. 11.2 g/L superparamagnetic iron oxide was diluted into 28 mg/L using NSC medium, mixed with 1.0 mg/L polylysine (8 ?L), and then made into superparamagnetic iron oxide-polylysine composite labeled medium. NSC spheres with active proliferation were obtained, made into single cell suspension (1?109/L), and then treated with serum-free medium containing superparamagnetic iron oxide. One week later, various cytokines were removed, and 5% fetal bovine serum was used for 24 hours to induce the NSC differentiation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prussian blue staining was utilized to determine marking positive rate. Immunofluorescence staining was applied to detect glial fibrillary acidic protein and neurofilament expression. RESULTS: Superparamagnetic iron oxide labeled NSCs were yellow, and the speed of clone formation was not stepped down compared with the non-labeled cells. 20 hours following superparamagnetic iron oxide labeling, blue iron particles in NSCs cytoplasm were found, with the positive rate of 90%. Following induction, superparamagnetic iron oxide labeled NSCs were positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein and neurofilament. CONCLUSION: Superparamagnetic iron oxide can highly effectively label NSCs in vitro, and not affect biological features following labeling. NSCs can normally amplify and orientedly differentiate into neurons and astrocytes.