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Summary: Flavonol glycosides with low thresholds are important flavour substances in tea leaves. This study monitored the dynamic changes in flavonol glycosides during the production of different teas. The fresh leaves of cv. Fudingdabaicha with 15.77 mg g−1 of total flavonol glycosides (TFG) were respectively processed into green, yellow, white, oolong and black teas. A reduction of TFG was observed for different teas, amongst which black tea contained the lowest level of TFG (9.83 mg g−1), followed by oolong tea (11.96 mg g−1), while green, yellow and white teas contained similar levels of TFG (~13.70 mg g−1). Fixation was crucial to maintain the stability of flavonol glycosides due to its inactivation effect on enzymes at high temperature. Principal component analysis results indicated that flavonol glycosides were vulnerable to fermentation, and the stabilities of flavonol glycosides were related with aglycone and glycoside moiety. The dynamic changes of flavonol glycosides during the production of green, yellow, white, oolong and black teas were monitored. Fermentation reduced flavonol glycosides. The stabilities of flavonol glycosides were related with aglycone and glycoside moiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the inhibitory effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) on HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cells in vitro., Methods: HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cells were cultured for 3 days in the proliferation period. Then adriamycin or 5-Fu at different concentrations were used to treat these cells for 24 h, 72 h and 144 h. MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxic effects through measuring optical density and calculating the inhibition rate of cell growth. Morphologic changes of the cells were observed under a phase contrast microscope. Flow cytometry (FCM) was performed to detect the changes in cell cycle and DNA ploidy in the fibrosarcoma cells treated with 5-Fu., Results: 10 µg/ml 5-Fu showed an inhibition rate of 45.9% (24 h), 64.7% (72 h) and 90.6% (144 h) of the HT-1080 cell growth. 100 µg/ml 5-Fu showed an inhibition rate of 53.1% (24 h), 86.4% (72 h), 93.0% (144 h) of the HT-1080 cell growth, results similar to those in the adriamycin group. Untreated fibrosarcoma cells accounted for 67.5% in G(1) phase, 21.2% in S phase and 11.3% in G(2) phase. With the increasing drug concentrations, cells in G(1) + S phase increased rapidly and no cells in G(2) phase were observed later. The cells treated with 5-Fu showed a G(1) + S cell cycle arrest., Conclusions: 5-Fu has an antitumor activity in human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells in vitro, in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. The cytotoxity of 5-Fu at high concentrations and continuous use can induce tumor cell cycle arrested at G(1) + S phase, a similar result induced with adriamycin.

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect and safety of acupuncture of Back-shu points [Xinshu (BL 15), Pishu (BL 20), etc.] in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)., Methods: A total of 120 CFS patients were equally randomized Into acupuncture and control groups. Acupuncture needles were inserted into bilateral Xinshu (BL 15), Pishu (BL 20), and Gaohuang (BL 43) points, once daily for 4 weeks except weekends. For patients of the control group, acupuncture needles were inserted into the shallow layer of the non-acupoints (two mid-points of the horizon lines passing through the crossing-points of the 1st and 2nd branches of the Gallbladder Meridian and the crests of 4th, 5th and 11th thoracic vertebrae). General health scale (SF-20) and Chalder fatigue scale were used to measure the CFS patients' degree of general health. A follow-up survey was carried out 3 months after the last treatment., Results: In comparison with pre-treatment, the scores of Chalder fatigue scale were decreased significantly in both treatment and control groups (P < 0.01), while the scores of physiological function (PF) and general health (GH) of SF-20 in both acupuncture groups and those of the role function (RF), social function (SF), mental health (MH) and pain sensation (PS) in the treatment group were increased apparently after the treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The scores of Chalder Scale and PF, RF, SF, GH, MH, PS and the CFS patients' satisfication degrees 4 weeks (64.4% and 36.7%) and 3 months (62.3% and 32%) after the treatment in the treatment group were significantly superior to those of the control group (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Acupuncture at Back-shu point has a good therapeutic effect (including immediate and midterm effect) in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Objective: To investigate the prognosis factors of soft tissue sarcoma, especially the impact of surgical treatment on the prognosis., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 208 surgically treated patients. There were 128 male and 80 female. The average age was 46 ranged from 9 to 98 years old. Possible factors of whether the patient firstly treated in our hospital, the tumor size (< 5 cm, 5 ∼ 10 cm, > 10 cm), tumor depth (superficial deep fascia, under the deep fascia), histological type (such as adipose sarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, synovial sarcoma, fibrous sarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, other tumors), tumor grade (FNCLCC I, II, III), surgical margin (intralesional, marginal, wide, radical) and adjuvant therapy on the prognosis of patients were analyzed., Results: The median follow-up was 37.5 ranged from 1.3 to 128.1 months. The overall 3-year and 5-year survival were 77% and 75%. The overall 3-year and 5-year recurrence rate were 28% and 37%. The overall 3-year and 5-year metastasis rate were 35% and 43%. Tumor size, tumor grade and metastasis or not independently affected survival (χ(2) = 18.813, 24.849 and 21.107, all P < 0.05). Whether the patient firstly treated in our hospital and histological type independently affect the local recurrence (χ(2) = 21.915, 12.192, both P < 0.05); histological grade can independently affect the metastasis (χ(2) = 7.714, P < 0.05). Surgical margin alone affected the local recurrence and metastasis (χ(2) = 19.610, 9.272, both P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Surgical margin independently affected local recurrence and distant metastasis, and thus indirectly affect the survival of soft tissue sarcoma. In particular, the primary choice for treatment of soft tissue sarcoma without metastasis should be surgery. Wide or radical margin could significantly improve the prognosis of soft tissue sarcoma patients.

Objective: To evaluate the surgical treatment and outcome of autogenous bone grafting and internal fixation in management of bone nonunion after massive allograft transplantation., Methods: From January 1994 to December 2006, 41 of 176 patients underwent bone nonunion after massive allograft transplantation. Twenty-two of 41 patients received autogenous bone grafting. Complete clinical and follow-up data was available for 15 cases. The average age at secondary autogenous bone grafting was 24 years old (ranging from 15 to 34). The primary diseases included osteosarcoma (5 cases), giant cell tumor (4 cases), parosteal osteosarcoma (2 cases), hemangioendothelioma (2 cases) and primitive neuroectodermal tumor (2 cases). Tumor was located at distal femur in 7 patients, middle of humerus in 3, middle of femur in 2, proximal tibia in 2 and proximal humerus in 1. Eight of 15 patients with simple bone nonunion received autogenous bone grafting. Another 7 patients with bone nonunion and fracture of primary internal fixation underwent autogenous bone grafting and re-internal fixation., Results: At a mean follow-up of 46.8 months (ranging from 18 to 148 months), bone union was observed in 13 of 15 patients (86.7%) with the mean healing time 13.3 months (ranging from 5 to 20). Bone union could be observed in all 8 patients with simple bone nonunion and 5 of 7 patients with bone nonunion and internal fixation fracture, similar healing time 14 and 12 months respectively. There was no infection or any other complications. Two patients underwent re-nonunion received prosthesis replacement at last. The mean MSTS score of 13 patients was 25.1, with 8 simple bone nonunion patients and 5 combined with internal fixation fracture patients 25.4 and 24.6 respectively, also basically no difference., Conclusions: Autogenous bone grafting and internal fixation in management of nonunion after massive allograft transplantation have the advantage of easy operation, less complications, high rate of bone healing and good function result with obvious superiority to prosthesis replacement. For management of nonunion after massive allograft transplantation, autogenous bone grafting and internal fixation is mostly recommended.

This paper describes the development of TBI technique about fractionated TBI and the relationship between irradiation dose rate and complication; IMRT for TBI and lung compensation technique.

Objective: To design a new afterloading brachytherapy simulation system based on CT images., Methods: This paper mainly focuses on the anthropomorphic pelvic phantom spiled by three pipelines and the nasopharyngeal carcinoma spiled by two pipelines. Microsoft Visual C++ was used to parse CT images for some information, then to reconstruct pipelines in the body of phantom or the patient and to give the three-dimensional coordinate of dwelling points. The dose distribution displayed on CT images was processed by the dose distribution calculation methods near single afterloading source and the dose optimization methods. VTK technology was used in the 3D display in the system., Results: According to the reference points applied by doctors, the system can calculate reversely the dwelling time of dwelling points in pipelines and get satisfying dose distribution on CT images. Besides, it can reflect the 3D relationship between the dose volume and the normal tissues., Conclusions: This system overcomes some deficiencies of 2D afterloading brachytherapy simulation system based on X-ray films which are used widely in China. It supplies 3D display of dose distribution for clinical doctors. At present, the system is being tested in clinics.

Using six rice varieties with different phosphorus (P) use efficiency as the materials, the photosynthesis and active-oxygen-scavenging enzyme activities of the rice varieties under different P conditions were studied. Under deficient P condition, the photosynthetic rate (Pn) and soluble protein content (pro) were all gradually decreased with the growth process in the six tested varieties. The Pn and pro were always lower under deficient P condition than those under sufficient P condition. The Pn (ranging from 10.06-10.83 micromol CO2 x m(-2) x s(-1)), chlorophyll content (ranging from 3.32-3.56 mg x g(-1) FM) and pro (ranging from 33.08-33.95 mg x g(-1) FM) were all the highest in varieties with high-P efficiency, then in varieties with mid-P efficiency, and the lowest in varieties with low-P efficiency. There were no obvious differences on stomatal conductance (Gs) among the varieties. Meanwhile, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of the tested varieties were all decreased with the process of deficient P stress. The SOD activities were also shown to be the highest in the varieties with high-P efficiency, then in the varieties with mid-P efficiency, and the lowest in the varieties with low-P efficiency under deficient P conditions. The malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in the tested varieties showed a reverse pattern of the SOD activities, with the highest in varieties with low-P efficiency and lowest in varieties with high-P efficiency. There was not an obvious change pattern on POD activity among the tested varieties under different P conditions. Under deficient P condition, the higher SOD activity and lower peroxidation degree of cell membrane system play important roles in improving the photosynthesis of the varieties with high-P efficiency.

Objective: To explore the criterion for efficacy evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD) and the effect of treatment with integrated Chinese and Western medicine., Methods: One hundred and sixteen patients of GERD were randomly assigned to two groups, group A treated with Western medicine and group B with integrated Chinese and Western medicine. Changes of symptoms, TCM syndromes, and endoscopic picture were observed before and after treatment. And the condition of recurrence was also inspected., Results: The total effective rate was 84.5% and 67.2% in group A and B respectively. The long-term efficacy was better in group B than that in group A (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in short-term efficacy between the two groups. But the recurrence happened in both groups after withdrawal of treatment. The recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients of deficiency syndrome type and coexistence of deficiency and excess syndrome type than that in those of excess syndrome type (P < 0.05), and it was also higher in those whose pathogenesis was associated with mental factor (P < 0.05). In the other 20 patients the treatment was sustained for 10.4 +/- 11.4 months on average. There were 69.0% of the patients with normal esophagus mucosa shown by endoscope examination, and the pathological changes were not coincident with the symptoms and prognosis., Conclusions: Basically, no case of GERD could be cured, so, it is supposed that the item of "cure" in the criteria of therapeutic efficacy evaluation is advisably made over to "clinical control" or "obvious efficacy", and add an item of "no change" in the criterion. The importance of endoscopic picture for efficacy evaluation is doubtful and needs to be further discussed.

Objective: At present clinical treatment of cervical cancer combines surgical intervention, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Optimal doses in radiotherapy help improve survival of the patients, but the decision on such dose has to originate from direct measurement. Due to the complexity in the anatomic structure of female pelvic cavity and the adjacent tissues, quite an array of measurement equipments, experimental techniques and radiation parameters have to be employed or determined during radiation measurements, which adds to the complexity of measurement as well as the costs. In this article, the author introduces random photon tracing simulation method to compute tissue photon flux during pelvic radiotherapy for cervical cancer. Besides the simplicity, flexibility and accuracy, this method also lessens the influences by the conditions of and is well adapted to complicated structure of the female pelvic cavity, drastic changes in tissue parameters, and anisotropic scattering.

Objective: To compare the dose difference in irradiation dose between nasopharyngeal cancer patients receiving conventional radiotherapy (CR) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)., Methods: The various IMRT and the CR plans for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were created by a three-dimensional treatment planning system (3D-TPS). The dose-volume histograms (DVH) of normal tissues and the total number of irradiation monitor units (MU) were calculated by 3D-TPS. The treatment was delivered with 6 MV photons using a "step-and-shoot" technique on a linear accelerator. The X-ray leakage and scattered dose (LSD) at the dmax (maximal dose depth) in water were measured by dosimeter and ion chamber. The dose delivered to normal tissue adjacent to the treatment site at a certain distance was estimated by using LSD and the total MU for different radiotherapy methods., Results: To IMRT patients, the volumes of normal tissues receiving the dose less than 28 Gy and higher than 35 Gy were 1.43-1.81 and 0.70-0.30 times those of CR patients respectively. The LSD irradiated that to the IMRT patients was about two times of the CR patients., Conclusion: The dose received by normal tissues in IMRT is two times that in CR.

Objective: To investigate the effect of rhein on the development of hepatic fibrosis., Methods: The animal models were made with carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) mixed with vegetable oil (3/2, v/v), which was injected subcutaneously twice a week for 6 weeks, and with 5% ethanol for free drinking water. At the same time, Rhein was administrated at the dose of 25 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg once a day for 6 weeks. The changes of both biochemical markers, such as the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen type III (PCIII) in serum and SOD, malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver, and related histopathological parametres were determined., Results: Compared with the model group, there were three kinds of changes in the larger quantity of rhein treated group. (1) The levels of ALT, HA, PCIII in serum and MDA in liver homogenate were decreased significantly (from 150 U/L +/- 16 U/L to 78 U/L +/- 18 U/L, 321 microg/L +/- 97 microg/L to 217 microg/L +/- 75 microg/L, 31 microg/L +/- 14 microg/L to 16 microg/L +/- 6 microg/L and 3.67 nmol/mg +/- 0.68 nmol/mg to 1.88 nmol/mg +/- 0.34 nmol/mg, respectively, t > or 2.977, P<0.01). However the level of SOD in liver was increased (from 62.45 NU/mg +/- 8.74 NU/mg to 91.26 NU/mg +/- 14.04 NU/mg, t=4.453, P<0.01). (2) The expressions of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) in liver were markedly reduced (P<0.05 and P<0.01). (3) The collagen staining positive area was decreased and the grade of fibrosis was reduced significantly in liver (P<0.05 and P<0.01)., Conclusion: Rhein can protect hepatocyte from injury and prevent the progress of hepatic fibrosis in rats, which may associate with that rhein plays a role in antioxidation, anti-inflammation, inhibiting the expression of TGF-beta1 and suppressing the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Aim: To investigate the effect of rhein on liver fibrosis induced by the exposure of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)/ethanol in rats., Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into four study groups (n=10 each group): healthy controls, CCl4/ethanol-injured rats left untreated, and CCl4/ethanol-injured rats treated with rhein of low-dose (25 mg/kg) and high-dose (100 mg/kg). Rhein was given once a day since rat received CCl4/ethanol injury. After administration of rhein for 6 weeks rats were killed. The following parameters were determined: the activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hyalauronic acid (HA) and procollagen type III (PC-III) concentrations in serum, liver malondialdehyde (MDA) level, the degree of liver fibrosis, and the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in liver tissue., Results: The treatment of rhein markedly reduced the ALT activity, HA and PC-III concentrations, and liver MDA level in CCl4/ethanol-injured rats (P<0.01). It also improved significantly histological changes of fibrosis and decreased the expression of alpha-SMA and TGF-beta1 in liver of these rats (P<0.05 or P<0.01)., Conclusion: Rhein has protective effect on liver injury and can inhibit liver fibrosis induced by CCl4/ethanol in rats. The mechanisms possibly contribute to its action of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, also associated with its effect of inhibiting TGF-beta1 and suppressing the activation of hepatic stellate cells.