This study was aimed to observe the protective effect of astragalus on bones of vitamin D deficiency rat model. A total of 30 male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, which were the control group, model group, and the astragalus group. The experimental period was 8 weeks. After the experiment, enzyme immunoassay was used for the detection of serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D3 [25 (OH)VD3], fibroblast growth factor-23 [FGF-23], Klotho, and HE staining of femur. The results showed that compared with the normal control group, the vitamin D deficiency rat model group had a decrease in both serum 25 (OH)VD3 and Klotho, and a increase in FGF-23, which meant the ex-istence of osteoporosis. Compared with the model group, the astragalus group had a decrease in both the serum 25 (OH)VD3 and FGF-23, and a increase in Klotho, which meant the osteoporosis of the astragalus group had been im-proved significantly. It was concluded that astragalus can regulate FGF-23 and Klotho in vitamin D deficiency rats in order to have a protective effect for bones.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of supraclavicular artery island flap (SCAIF) for the reconstruction of hypopharynx and upper esophagus. Methods: The SCAIF procedure on was used in 10 patients, including 8 with hypopharygeal carcinomas, 1 with esophageal carcinoma and neck skin invasion and 1 with hypopharyngeal leiomyosarcoma, at the Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yatsen University between December 2015 and June 2017. The sizes of the flaps were measured in (4-8) cm×(5-12) cm. Clinical indexes such as harvesting time and survival were recorded. Results: Harvesting time for SCAIF ranged from 20 to 30 minutes, averaging 26 minutes. Nine flaps survived, one flap had partially necrosis. Functional outcomes were excellent and the donor sites were direct closed without complications. Conclusions SCAIF is a versatile, reliable, and easily harvested flap, with good cosmetic and functional outcomes for reconstructing the defects of hypopharynx and upper esophagus.