Hypopharyngeal cancer is not common and its prognosis is among the worst in head and neck cancer.Radiation therapy is an important choice of treatment,including radiotherapy alone,radiotherapy combined with surgery and radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy.The improvement of radiation therapy improves the prognosis of hypopharyngeal cancer patients,and radiotherapy combined with surgery is the standard treatment for hypopharyngeal cancer.Nowadays,in order to enhance the preserving rates of the organ and faction,radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy is becoming a research hotspot.

Objective An analytical approach has been developed for determination of sildenafil blood with high performance liquid chromatography.Methods Sildenafil was extracted by solid phase extraction cartridges from blood and was separated by resered-phase gradient chromatography with DAD detection at 230nm.The analytical column was Nova-pak C18(150×3.9mm),5.0μm and the guard column was Phenomenex C18(ODS,4.0×3.0mm,Octadecyl).The mobile phase Was gradient mixture of acetonitrile(A) and 0.25% acetonitrile aqueous solution including 0.06% trifluoroacetic acid and 0.06% triethylamine (B).Results Linearity Was checked over the concentration range 1.5～80.0μg/mL.Limits of detection was 5.0ng.Average recovery was 82.45%.Conclusion This method issimple.exact and rapid.

Objective:To study the kinetics of transdermal absorption of volatile oil from Angelica slinesis in fetal skin and investi-gate the mechanism of penetration enhancement in terms of morphology. Methods: Franz diffusion cells were used to investigate the transdermal characteristics in vitro. The content of ligustilide was determined by HPLC, and the cumulative permeation amount per unit area and rate constant of ligustilide were calculated. The effects of volatile oil from Angelica slinesis on skin ultrastructure was observed by a scanning electron microscope and a transmission electron microscope. Results:The kinetics of volatile oil at different concentra-tions was all in accordance with Higuchi equations. The ultrastucture changes of fetal skin under the scanning electron microscope were as follows:the wrinkles on skin surface increased, some areas of stratum corneum peeled off and turnovered like worn-out cotton pad-ding, the follicular orifice was enlarged, and the cuticles of the hair shaft dropped off and became thinner. The changes of fetal skin ul-trastucture under the transmission electron microscope were as follows:stratum corneum cells peeled off, the cell junction in basal lam-ina and stratum spinosum were broken, and the intercellular space was enlarged. Conclusion: The volatile oil from Angelica slinesis has good transdermal permeability. Its enhancement mechanism of transdermal drug absorption is closely related with the effects on skin ultrastructure, which can change the structure of stratum corneum to increase the cell gaps resulting in enhancing drug penetration.

Objective To explore whether antenatal corticosteroids used can improve the maturation of choroid plexus capillaries in preterm mice.Methods This study was carried out in 2 groups of preterm mice.The study group was made of pregnant women receiving dexamethasone at a dose of 4 mg/(kg?time),1 time/d intraperitoneally.Study group was further subdivided into four subgroups according to the timing of the steroid administration:day 13,14,15 and 16 of pregnancy,each subgroup included 12 premature mice.All animals received a second injection 24 hours after the first one.The control group was given normal saline.The animals were operated to obtain premature mice.The choroid plexus ca-pillaries were assessed for integrity of their basement membranes by electronmicroscopy.Results In the study group,the maturity of the basement membrane of the choroid plexus capillaries was significantly better than that in control animals at any study time.The tendency to become intact.Thickness of the basement membrane.The protein granules to turn to more tightness.Conclusion These findings might provide an experimental basis for the use of antenatal steroids to decrease the incidence of periventricular hemorrhage in premature infants.

BACKGROUND:Repairing tuberculosis bone defect has become a research focus with the development of anti-tuberculosis functional bone tissue engineering scaffold. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the preparation, drug release performance and osteogenic properties of the anti-tuberculosis functional bone tissue engineering scaffold. METHODS:PubMed, Chinese Journal Ful-text Database, Wanfang databases were searched by computer for articles addressing functional bone tissue engineering scaffold for repair of tuberculosis bone defect. The keywords were“bone tissue engineering scaffold;tuberculosis;bone defect”in English and Chinese. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The anti-tuberculosis functional bone tissue engineering scaffold has good drug delivery, biocompatibility, osteogenic properties and anti-tuberculosis properties. As a good choice to avert bone defect relapse, the scaffold enables a long and stable drug release into bone defects to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of anti-tuberculosis drugs topical y. Given the technical deficiencies, we can only combine two drugs with the anti-tuberculosis bone tissue engineering scaffold, although the combined use of three or four anti-tuberculosis drugs is preferred. Additional y, a complete course of anti-tuberculosis treatment often lasts for 6-12 months, which cannot be achieved by the existing anti-tuberculosis bone tissue engineering scaffold. Up to now, the effect of this scaffold has not yet been confirmed in animal models, although how to prepare this scaffold has been reported.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of andrographolide derivative Yanhuning (YHN) on Candida albicans biofilms in rats.

METHODThe rat C. albicans biofilms subcutaneous catheter model was established by intraperitoneally injecting YHN (40, 20, 10, 5, 2.5 mg x kg (-1)), with the FLC (80 mg x kg(-1)) positive group as the control group. After 7 d, CFU counting and XTT assay were used to evaluate the effect of YHN on C. albicans biofllms in vivo. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to observe the morphological changes in rat biofilms intervened by YHN. The real-time fluorescence quantification PCR was adopted to detect expressions of C. albicans adhesion-related genes, such as ALS1, ALS3, HWP1, EAP1 and MP65.

RESULTThe YHN group showed much less CFUs on catheter pieces and lower XTT metabolic activity than the blank group, with dosage dependence. SEM also showed that YHN could obviously decrease C. albicans adhesion on subcutaneous catheters in rats. According to qRT-PCR's results, YHN can down-regulate expressions of ALS1, ALS3, HWP1, EAP1 and MP65.

CONCLUSIONYHN could inhibit C. albicans biofilms in rats.

Animals ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Candida albicans ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Catheters ; microbiology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Diterpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Rats

Along with the increase in fungal infections, Candida albicans prevention and control become the focus of anti-fungal infection at present. This study aims to discuss the effect monomer andrographolide (AG) on C. albicans biofilm dispersion. In the experiment, micro-well plates and medical catheter pieces were used to establish the C. albicans biofilm model. It was discovered by XTT assay and flat band method that 1 000, 500, 250 mg x L(-1) AG could impact the activity of C. albicans biofilm dispersion cells. The morphological structures of residual biofilms on catheter pieces were observed with scanning electron microscopy, which showed that 1 000, 500, 250 mg x L(-1) AG could induce C. albicans biofilm dispersion in a dose-dependent manner, and the dispersed cells were dominated by the yeast phase. According to the real-time fluorescence quantification PCR (qRT-PCR) test, AG could up-regulate HSP90 expression and down-regulate UME6 and PES1 expressions. This study demonstrates that AG could induce C. albicans biofilm dispersion to some extent.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; Candida albicans ; genetics ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fungal Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal ; drug effects ; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ethyl acetate extract of Huanglian Jiedu decoction (EAHD) , alone and in combination with fluconazole (FLZ) on FLZ-resistant Candida albicans.

METHODThe minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and sessile MIC80 (SMIC80) of EAHD and FLZ to FLZ-resistant C. albicans were determined by CLSI M27-A3 microdilution method, and the synergy of EAHD combined with FLZ were examined by the checkerboard microdilution assay. Agar plate-method was adopted to observe the rate of antifungal activity according to time-kill curve. HPLC and qRT-PCR were utilized to evaluate the changes of ergosterol content and expressions of related genes, respectively.

RESULTMICs of EAHD ranged from 156 to 1,250 mg · L(-1), those of FLZ from 256 to above 2,048 mg · L(-1) with FICI approximate 0.066 in combination; SMIC80 of EAHD were higher than 1,250 mg · L(-1), SMIC80 of FLZ were higher than 512 mg · L(-1) and up to above 2,048 mg · L(-1). Combination group also showed synergy effect except one group showing addition effect. The results of T-K experiment also confirmed obviously fungicidal effect when treated for 12 h. When compared with control groups, the ergosterol was reduced 85% and 50% in the treatments of combination and EAHD alone by HPLC, respective- ly. The expressions of ERG1, ERG2, ERG6, ERG7 and ERG11 were upregulated, and ACS1, ACS2, MET6 were downregulated when exposed to FLZ. The expressions of the above genes were downregulated by treatment of EAHD. The expressions of ERG2, ERG6, ERG11 were upregulated, while ERG1, ERG7, ACS1, ACS2, MET6 were downregulated in combination group.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of EAHD and FLZ exhibited synergy against FLZ-resistant C. albicans through decreasing the synthesis of ergosterol, and resulting in the breakage of cell membrane.

Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ergosterol ; biosynthesis ; Fluconazole ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

Phytoestrogens, which can bind with estrogen receptor and produce estrogen-like effects, are a kind of nonsteroidal compound in plant. Phytoestrogens chemically include isoflavones, coumarins, lignans and other compounds. Phytoestrogens are selective estrogen receptor modulator, and have therapeutical effects on breast cancer, prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis and other disease, however, do not produce stimulatory hyperplasia effects on uterus, mammary glands and other tissues and organs with positive estrogen receptor. Long-term exposure or excessive use of phytoestrogens maybe affects male reproductive system and hematopoietic function of fetus. Some questions need to be further studied, such as evaluation criteria on biological activity, adverse effects, and action mechanism of phytoestrogen. This review covers plant sources, chemical structure, pharmacological activity and safety of phytoestrogens. It will provide a useful reference for intensive research and rational utilization the phytoestrogens.
Animals ; Humans ; Phytoestrogens ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the nerve electromyogram results by analysing the pathological characters of 4 cases diagnosed as peripheral neuropathy caused by n-hexane and arsenic.

METHODSThe nerve electromyogram examination and pathology data of 4 patients, who had been diagnosed as toxic chemicals peripheral neuropathy, were studied retrospectively.

RESULTSTwo patients in this group were exposed to n-hexane, their nerve electromyogram examinations and biopsy pathology of superficial peroneal nerve indicated the peripheral neuropathy was mainly manifests the lesion of medullary sheath. Another two patients were exposed to arsenic, their nerve electromyogram examinations showed axonal degeneration associated with demyelination, and their biopsy pathology showed the peripheral neuropathy was mainly axonal degeneration.

CONCLUSIONAxonal degeneration and demyelination always coexist in peripheral neuropathy caused by chemicals.

Arsenic Poisoning ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Hexanes ; poisoning ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; chemically induced ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult